Manipur: Naga killings draw widespread condemnation; UNC calls shutdown

Imphal/Shillong, June 10 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, the United Naga Council (UNC), and several organisations on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of six members of the Naga community who were abducted by armed groups belonging to different tribal communities on May 13 in Manipur.

The UNC, the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, has called for a 24-hour shutdown from 6 a.m. on June 11 to 6 a.m. on June 12 in protest against the killings.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who is also the National President of the National People’s Party (NPP), said the killing was particularly heartbreaking because it occurred despite the goodwill and sincere efforts of the UNC to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful engagement.

“A gesture intended to build trust and foster understanding has instead been met with violence, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and immense suffering for their families and communities. There can be no justification for the taking of innocent lives. At this difficult moment, I urge all concerned to exercise restraint and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Lasting peace can only be built through mutual respect, dialogue and a commitment to resolving differences through peaceful means rather than violence,” Sangma said.

Condemning the killings, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen said the heinous act of violence was deeply distressing and had left an indelible mark on the conscience of society.

“Such brutality has no place in our state and goes against the principles of humanity, mutual respect and the values we collectively cherish. Let us honour the memory of the victims by fostering understanding, compassion and dialogue. I appeal to everyone to work toward restoring peace and harmony, ensuring that Manipur remains a land of unity and hope. I further implore every citizen to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of a future free from fear and the cycle of hatred,” Kipgen said.

The UNC said the Naga people’s prayerful expectation following the release of 14 Kuki detainees on Tuesday evening was shattered by the discovery that the six innocent Nagas taken hostage by Leilon Vaiphei villagers and KNF (P) militants on May 13 had been recovered not only as lifeless human remains but also in highly mutilated and dismembered conditions.

“This is most unacceptable and a gross violation of human rights and disrespect for the dignity of human persons. This tragedy has caused immense pain to the families and to the Naga people at large. It has shaken the faith of citizens in the government’s ability to ensure the safety and security of innocent civilians,” UNC Information and Publicity Secretary H. James Hau said.

He added that the killings were being viewed as a direct challenge to the collective identity and security of the Naga people.

The UNC urged all citizens to observe the shutdown peacefully and stand in solidarity with the Naga community until justice is delivered. The tribal body also announced that the mortal remains of the six Naga hostages would not be received until its four-point charter of demands is addressed and justice is ensured for the families of the victims by both the Manipur government and the Centre.

Among its key demands are the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki militant groups and the immediate arrest and prosecution of all Kuki National Front cadres allegedly involved in the abduction of 18 Naga civilians, including two pastors, on May 13 from Leilon Vaiphei village, and the subsequent killing of six of them.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also strongly condemned the brutal act in Killing of six Naga people. 

In a statement, the Chief Minister maintained that the government will not tolerate such brutal violence and will not remain a mute spectator to these atrocities. 

Culprits responsible for the murder will be arrested and punished as per the law of the land, he added.

The state government has already handed over the investigation into the abduction of six Naga villagers to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier.

The Chief Minister also condemned the killing of a farmer from Lansan Kuki village in Tamenglong district by suspected armed attackers on Tuesday. 

The Chief Minister extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased.

--IANS

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