Imphal: The Luangdimai Sentinel, a Zeliangrong Research Forum, has demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) make public its findings into the abduction and killing of six Naga men within 15 days, while issuing a 10-point charter of demands that it said was essential for justice and lasting peace in Manipur.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Forum said the abduction and killing of the six Nagas, whose mutilated and dismembered bodies were later recovered, had caused widespread grief and outrage among the Naga community and the general public.
The organisation criticised the authorities for what it described as a lack of transparency and accountability in the recovery and handling of the victims’ bodies. It also drew a comparison with the treatment of 14 Kuki detainees who were released safely by Naga groups, alleging that Kuki militants accused of involvement in the May 13 abduction and killings were receiving medical treatment under security cover at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), while the victims’ remains continued to await justice.
“The general public sees this act as partiality, affront to justice and fairness and an insult to the victims and their families,” the Forum said.
The Luangdimai Sentinel further alleged that the government was shielding Kuki militant groups and accused security forces, including the Assam Rifles and the COBRA unit of the CRPF, of becoming part of what it termed a proxy conflict against Nagas. It warned that the perceived bias and the continuing conflict could lead to further violence and displacement.
Calling on the governments of India and Manipur to restore peace, the Forum urged the removal of officials allegedly mishandling the security situation and submitted a 10-point charter of demands, in addition to those already raised by the United Naga Council (UNC) and other organisations.
Among its key demands, the Forum called for all Naga villages currently falling under Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts to be brought under Noney, Tamenglong, Ukhrul or Senapati districts, in accordance with what it described as the democratic aspirations of the people. It sought the immediate constitution of an inter-district boundary reorganisation committee for the purpose.
The Forum alleged that Kangpokpi district was created on land historically belonging to the Nagas and claimed that demographic changes over decades had marginalised the Naga population in the area. It further alleged that the district had become a centre for illegal migration from Myanmar, proliferation of unauthorised villages, poppy cultivation and militant activities.
It also demanded an investigation into villages allegedly established through fraudulent means and called for the eviction of settlements found to be illegal. In addition, it urged authorities to identify and take action against persons residing in Manipur without legal status in accordance with existing laws.
The organisation sought the eviction of residents of Leilon Vaiphei village and its satellite hamlets from what it claimed was encroached land belonging to Konsakhul village. It proposed that the land be restored to Konsakhul for the establishment of a Naga Martyrs’ Ground in memory of the six victims.
The Forum further demanded the immediate relocation of all Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps located in Naga-inhabited areas and called for the cancellation of SoO agreements with all Kuki militant groups, alleging repeated violations of the ceasefire ground rules.
It specifically demanded that Semtinthang Kipgen alias Thangboi Kipgen, chief of the KNF(P), be declared a terrorist and arrested in connection with the May 13 abduction and killings. The Forum alleged that the attack had been carried out under his leadership.
The Forum also demanded the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers, alleging that her relationship with Semtinthang Kipgen could compromise the fairness of the investigation. It further sought an investigation into Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing over alleged links to militant groups, illegal poppy cultivation and the ethnic conflict in the area.
In addition, the organisation demanded the arrest of Lalboi Vaiphei, village chief of Leilon Vaiphei, along with all those allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of the six Nagas, including a policeman identified as Thanginlen Vaiphei.
The Forum also accused the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) of spreading misinformation and alleged that the organisation had prior knowledge of the May 13 incident. It claimed that KIM’s subsequent statements regarding the killings were aimed at provoking retaliatory violence, an allegation that could not be independently verified.
The Luangdimai Sentinel further called for the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles and the COBRA unit of the CRPF from Manipur, alleging that public confidence in the forces had eroded.
Finally, the Forum demanded that the NIA publicly release its reports on both the ambush of three Thadou Christian leaders and the abduction and killing of the six Nagas within 15 days to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
The organisation said the 10 demands were “indivisible and non-negotiable” and warned that if the authorities failed to address the demands within the stipulated timeframe, democratic forms of agitation would be intensified.
“Until every demand is fully addressed, Nagas will not accept the mortal remains of our beloved six innocent Naga brothers, as their acceptance without justice would amount to denial of truth, accountability and the dignity owed to the departed souls,” the statement added.
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