Hundreds protest in Manipur demanding justice for six slain Naga civilians
Hundreds from Naga and Meitei communities held a sit-in at Naga Namdilong village in Imphal West, seeking justice for six slain Naga civilians. Protesters also列
Hundreds of people from both Naga and Meitei communities gathered on Monday for a joint sit-in protest at Naga Namdilong village in Kanglatongbi, Imphal West. The protest called for justice for six Naga civilians whose deaths have sparked anger and repeated demands for action by authorities.
The sit-in was organised by the Justice for Six Sons of Koubru United Committee (J6SKUC) under the theme “Justice for the Six Naga Brothers”. Protesters held placards with slogans such as “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied” and “No More Silence, We Demand Justice”. Many expressed frustration over what they described as continued delay in accountability.
Five major demands placed before the authorities
Protesters outlined five demands. They urged the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings. They also called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, the declaration of the Kuki National Front-Presidential (KNF-P) as a terrorist organisation, removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from office, and eviction of what they described as illegal villages.
Jurish Abonmai, a committee member linked with the Joint Coordination Committee under the United Naga Council, said the sit-in was organised to seek justice for six Liangmai Naga civilians. According to him, the men were allegedly abducted on May 13, and their mutilated bodies were recovered on June 10. He said the victims’ mortal remains are still kept at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) as families continue to wait.
Families allege lack of action despite information
Abonmai alleged that despite repeated appeals over the past two-and-a-half months, the authorities have not arrested those responsible. He claimed that women survivors, including family members of the victims who were released after the abduction, had identified the alleged perpetrators and that their names and details were submitted to the authorities. He said no meaningful action had followed and the accused remained at large.
He noted that the six men were part of a group of 18 Nagas abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district on May 13. Twelve hostages were reported released the next day, while the remaining six were reported missing until their bodies were recovered on June 10. The case has drawn condemnation from Naga civil society groups, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the matter. The NIA has arrested four persons so far in connection with the killings.
