Imphal: Naga MLAs cutting across political parties on Monday announced they would abstain from the final sitting of the ongoing Manipur Legislative Assembly session, protesting the killing of six Naga civilians allegedly by Kuki armed militants.
The Naga legislators also rejected Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam’s clarification on the Leilon Vaiphei killings and reiterated their demand for action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen over the alleged links of her husband and KNF(P) to the case.
At a press conference at Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho’s official residence, the Naga MLAs collectively announced their decision to boycott the final proceedings of the session, citing the continued failure to deliver justice to the victims.
Awangbou Newmai, president of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) Manipur State Unit, alleged that eyewitnesses had pointed to the involvement of a KNF(P) leader, including the husband of Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen.
Newmai said the Naga legislators could not accept the Home Minister’s statement in the Assembly that the policeman and Leilon Vaiphei village chief were not involved in the incident, particularly while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation is still underway.
He questioned how such a clarification could be made when eyewitnesses among those allegedly abducted along with the six Naga men had provided accounts of the incident.
According to Newmai, 18 people were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13, after which six Naga civilians were killed. Their mutilated bodies were recovered nearly a month later.
He said those named in the FIR, including the Leilon Vaiphei village chief, had not been arrested nearly four months after the incident.
“The persons named in the FIR, including the Leilon Vaiphei village chief, have still not been arrested. Since justice has not been delivered even after four months, we have decided not to participate in the House session today,” he said.
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