Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUL 9 (NPN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Thursday organised a candlelight vigil in Kohima in memory of six Naga men abducted from Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village in Manipur on May 13 and whose bodies were recovered on June 10. The programme was also held in solidarity with the bereaved families and to demand justice.
Addressing the gathering, Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee convenor Thejao Vihienuo said the gathering had assembled with heavy hearts to pay tribute to the six Nagas who were kidnapped on May 13 and whose remains were recovered nearly a month later.
Referring to the historical relationship between Nagas and Kukis, Vihienuo claimed that Kukis had originally come to Naga areas as mercenaries and were later allowed by Naga ancestors to settle and establish villages. He alleged that despite the hospitality extended to them, they were never satisfied.
He also referred to a 1956 letter purportedly written by the Kuki Union of Naga Hills to the Prime Minister of India seeking 300 self-loading rifles to fight what he said were described as “Naga gangsters.”
He further claimed that Kukis were later inducted into village guards and provided arms.
Vihienuo maintained that Nagas had continued to look forward to peaceful coexistence but alleged that the killing of the six Nagas reflected deep hatred towards the Naga people. He claimed the victims were brutally killed and their bodies mutilated in an inhuman manner.
According to him, the only fault of the six victims was that they were peace-loving Nagas. He alleged that the incident reflected what “the Kukis” intended to do to every Naga, while asserting that Nagas had nevertheless exercised restraint and patience.
Appealing to Kuki leaders, Vihienuo urged them to stop what he termed a “misadventure” and not leave behind a legacy of hatred and treachery for future generations. He asked them to live peacefully with neighbouring communities and said acts of violence would bring lasting shame to future generations.
He also appealed to the Manipur government and the Government of India to fulfil what he described as the peaceful and just demands of the United Naga Council (UNC). He warned that failure to address those demands could lead to a wider spread of violence and expressed support for the UNC’s demand for justice.
Delivering the presidential address, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the six Naga men had been brutally murdered and buried in different locations. He said the gathering was a demonstration of Naga unity and a message to Kuki militants and the Government of India that Naga lives could not be treated in such a manner.
Holding both Kuki militants and the Government of India accountable, Heraang alleged that the Centre was attempting to repeat what he described as past efforts to suppress the Nagas and warned both not to test the patience of the Naga people.
He maintained that Nagas had never waged war against any community and had always advocated peace and harmony. However, he cautioned that if the patience of the Naga people continued to be tested, they would not remain silent.
Heraang also alleged that draconian laws had been imposed to suppress the Nagas and claimed that an “extra proxy war” was being waged against them. He described the vigil as a symbol of Naga unity and urged all Nagas to remain united, saying that while the violence was taking place in South Nagalim today, it could happen elsewhere tomorrow.
Later, speaking to media persons, Heraang said the federation organised the vigil because the six Naga brothers had been brutally killed and that the NSF considered it necessary to demand justice from both the Government of India and the Manipur government.
Describing the killings as an inhuman act allegedly committed by Kuki militants, he reiterated that Nagas had consistently advocated peace but alleged that Kukis had launched attacks against the Naga people. He demanded that those responsible be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
On whether the NSF had fixed a deadline for action, Heraang said no deadline had been set. However, he said the Government of India should announce a timeline for the investigation and ensure justice for the six slain Naga brothers.
Meanwhile, the NSF also submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the Governor of Nagaland, seeking urgent intervention to ensure justice, accountability and protection for Naga civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
Copies of the memorandum were also forwarded to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Governors and Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Manipur, the National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, United Nations agencies, diplomatic missions, national and international human rights organisations, media organisations, and various Naga political, tribal and civil society bodies.