Imphal: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) on Thursday organised a peace march from Ukhrul to Imphal along National Highway 202, demanding justice and urgent action in connection with the alleged abduction of six Naga men.
As part of the march, the ANSAM team visited Makhan village in Kangpokpi district and met the families of the six missing men, expressing solidarity with them during the ongoing crisis.
The march came after the expiry of an ultimatum issued by ANSAM to the Manipur government, demanding that it establish the whereabouts and condition of the six men allegedly abducted by an armed Kuki group on May 13 from Leilon Vaiphei village.
The decision to intensify the movement was taken during an emergency assembly of ANSAM and its constituent units, hosted by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) at Ukhrul district headquarters on Wednesday. The meeting focused on the continued lack of information regarding the missing men.
Speaking to reporters at Yaingangpokpi before reaching Imphal, ANSAM president Th Angteshang Maring said the march was aimed at pressing the state government, the Centre and all concerned authorities to secure the release of the six men and ensure their safe return.
“We are demanding justice for the six Naga hostages and urging all responsible authorities to take immediate steps for their safe release and return to their families and the Naga community,” he said.
Maring said the emergency assembly adopted a resolution to continue pursuing the demand for the release of the abducted men.
“We will intensify our democratic agitation until the six Naga hostages are released. Nagas are peace-loving people, and we do not want any unwanted incidents, but justice must be delivered,” he added.
Before arriving at Makhan, the ANSAM delegation also met a team from the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), led by its president, who were travelling from Kohima to Ukhrul.
NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the federation’s visit was aimed at expressing solidarity and seeking justice for the affected families.
“We are not here to provoke anyone. We are here to seek justice and peace for our Naga brothers and sisters, especially those who have been abducted,” he said.
Heraang also criticised the Centre’s handling of the ongoing crisis in Manipur, alleging a lack of urgency in addressing the situation.
“The prolonged crisis over the past two years has left many people frustrated. The Naga community initially advocated peace, but it is now directly affected by the unrest,” he said.
Warning against continued inaction, Heraang said the patience of the Naga people was wearing thin and called for immediate and meaningful intervention by both the state and central governments to address their concerns.