Imphal: Protests continued across Imphal on Monday as thousands of people from various indigenous communities demanded immediate intervention by the state government to rescue six missing Naga men allegedly abducted by Kuki groups.
The demonstration, organised by the Naga People’s Union Imphal (NPUI), began at Tribal Market in New Checkon, where Naga and Meitei protestors gathered in traditional attire before marching towards the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
However, heavy security forces deployed at Thangal General Statue, Palace Compound, stopped the protesters from proceeding further.
A five-member team led by NPUI President M Ngaranmi later met with the Chief Minister and submitted a memorandum.
The protestors demanded the immediate and safe release of the six Naga hostages and urged the state government to take swift intervention measures. They also called for justice and protection for civilians, while stressing the need to prevent violence against innocent civilians.
During the rally, the protesters raised slogans such as Nemcha Kipgen Down Down, Abrogate Suspension of Operation, Kuki Inpi Manipur a Liar, Kuki narco terrorists go back to Myanmar, Stop killing Meitei Naga, Burmese People Go Back, Narendra Modi Down Down, Amit Shah Down Down, Go back Central Forces.
Protesters also questioned appointing of Nemcha Kipgen as deputy chief minister stating how militant’s wife becomes deputy chief minister of Manipur.
Various valley-based civil society organisations, including COCOMI and AMUCO, also attended the rally to show solidarity to the family members of the six missing men in particular and the Naga people in general.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the peaceful rally, HB Kowarhring, Secretary of the NPUI, stated that the memorandum submitted to the state government demanded firm action against the perpetrators responsible for taking the six Naga civilians hostage.
He said that more than a week had passed since the abduction, while the indigenous people and family members of the victims continued to cry out for help. He urged the state government to come up with a concrete solution at the earliest.
Kowarhring also warned that the demonstrations would be intensified if the government failed to address the core issue promptly.
Th Paorei, a Scholar at the Manipur University, criticised the Kuki group for openly denying that they are not in their custody.
“I feel like they are playing with the lives and emotions of the families and the Naga people,” said Paorei.
He also said that this rally shows that we sincerely love peace and we sincerely demand the safe release of the six brothers. This is not a matter of days but it’s been almost two weeks that they have taken as hostages, he said.
“We urged the government from the highest to the bottom level that don’t consider the people’s meekness as weaknesses. If not, we will take up certain measures which will hamper the normal life of the people in the state,” he added.
Ashune Enah, another protester, expressed that the prolonged violence in the state which erupted in May, 2023 has affected every section of society, including the students and women.
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“People don’t want to suffer any longer,” she said.
She further said that they are still waiting for the government to rescue the six Naga civilians held hostages by the Kuki groups.
On May 13, following the ambush which killed three Thadou Christian leaders, 20 Naga civilians were taken as hostages from Leilon Vaiphei. After a day of captivity, 14 of them were released, however, the whereabouts of the six men from Konsakhul Naga village remain untraceable till date.
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