Imphal: Police in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday recovered the bodies of six Naga men who were abducted by Kuki armed groups on May 13.
The apex body of the Naga communities in Manipur, the United United Naga Council (UNC), has strongly condemned killing of six Naga hostages, describing it as “the most unacceptable and gross violation of human rights and an affront to human dignity.”
“We condemn this sacrilegious and satanic act upon innocent Naga civilians in the strongest terms. We express our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and stand in solidarity with them during this hour of profound grief and loss,” the UNC stated in a press release while calling for a 24-hour shutdown.
“The shocking fact that the six innocent Nagas, who were taken hostage by Leilon Vaiphei villagers and KNF(P) militants on May 13, have been recovered not only as lifeless human remains but also in highly mutilated and dismembered conditions,”
the UNC added.
The six deceased have been named as pastors Kenpibou Chawang and Manu Thiumai, and community members Phenrongwibo Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai and Ch. Phenrilung — all from Konsakhul Naga village in Kangpokpi district.
Conditions For Accepting Bodies
The Nagas said they will not accept the six bodies until their charter of demands is met. The UNC has called on the state government to immediately revoke the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with all Kuki militant groups and to arrest and prosecute members of the Kuki National Front (President) group [KNF(P)] allegedly involved in the abduction of 18 Naga civilians amid the ongoing Naga–Kuki conflict.
The UNC has also demanded the immediate removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Government Vows Action
The Manipur government has strongly condemned the killing of six Naga villagers who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13 by suspected militants.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and denounced the heinous act.
He said the administration will not tolerate such violence or stand by silently, and promised that those responsible will be arrested and dealt with under the law.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the “unlawful killing of the six Naga hostages,” describing the “heinous act of violence” as having “left an indelible mark on the conscience of our society,” and urged people to reject violence.