To
Her Excellency
The Hon’ble President of India
Smt. Droupadi Murmu
Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi-110004
Through: His Excellency, The Governor of Nagaland
Sub: Submission of Memorandum seeking urgent intervention for justice, accountability and protection of innocent Naga civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Manipur, particularly the abduction, torture and killing of six Naga civilians and other incidents documented during the NSF Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission to Southern Nagalim, Manipur.
Your Excellency,
On this day, the 9th of July 2026, on this solemn occasion of the Candle Light Vigil held at Kohima under the banner of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), demanding justice for the six Naga hostages who were abducted, tortured and killed by armed Kuki militants during the ongoing conflict in Manipur, the Naga Students’ Federation respectfully submits this Memorandum before Your Excellency.
The Candle Light Vigil represents the collective grief, anguish and demand for justice of the Naga people for the innocent lives lost during the conflict. While remembering the six Naga civilians whose lives were brutally taken away and standing in solidarity with their bereaved families, the Federation places before Your Excellency the grave humanitarian concerns, security challenges and continuing apprehensions arising from the ongoing conflict in Manipur and its impact upon Naga communities.
The Federation submits this representation along with the enclosed “Report on the Naga- Kuki Conflict in Manipur: Findings of the Naga Students’ Federation Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission to Southern Nagalim, Manipur “, containing the field observations, community interactions, incident documentation and recommendations compiled during the mission.
The NSF undertook the Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission to Southern Nagalim, Manipur, from 4th to 6th June 2026 in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation affecting the Naga people in Manipur.
The objectives of the mission were to extend solidarity to affected communities, assess the prevailing humanitarian and security conditions, interact with affected families, village authorities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, and document incidents affecting civilian life, security and dignity. During the mission, the NSF delegation visited affected areas and engaged with village leaders, displaced families, churches, student organisations, youth volunteers, civil society institutions and community representatives. The delegation documented the experiences, concerns and immediate challenges faced by communities affected by violence, displacement, destruction of property, disruption of livelihoods and prolonged insecurity.
The Federation observed that the continuing conflict has severely affected civilian life in several Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. Communities have faced insecurity arising from attacks, displacement, restrictions on movement and persistent fear regarding civilian safety. Families who have lost loved ones, those awaiting information regarding missing persons and those displaced from their ancestral villages continue to experience profound emotional and psychological distress. One of the gravest incidents documented in the enclosed report concerns the abduction of six Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on 13th May 2026. Following the abduction, sustained humanitarian efforts were undertaken by Naga civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to secure their safe release and prevent further escalation of violence. Humanitarian exchanges were facilitated with the hope of ensuring the safe return of the abducted civilians.
However, despite these efforts, the six civilians were subsequently recovered deceased on 10th June 2026. The incident has caused profound grief and anguish among the families of the victims, the wider Naga community and communities across the region.
The Federation respectfully submits that justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible through a fair and transparent process are essential for restoring public confidence and preventing the recurrence of such tragedies.
The continued occurrence of serious incidents involving civilian casualties and humanitarian suffering despite the extensive deployment of security forces in Manipur has raised concerns regarding civilian protection, prevention of violence, neutrality of security arrangements and the necessity for transparent and impartial investigations.
The Federation further submits that existing security mechanisms, including the Suspension of Operations (SOO) arrangement, require comprehensive review and appropriate action in view of concerns regarding continued armed activities, violations of peace commitments and grave human rights violations during the conflict.
The NSF also places on record concerns raised by affected communities regarding the expansion of illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking and the proliferation of sophisticated weapons by armed narco-Kuki militant groups, as the growth of an illicit economy continues to contribute towards the ongoing armed violence.
The Federation submits that such developments require urgent intervention to safeguard civilian populations and restore peace and stability.
In view of the concerns documented during the NSF Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission, the Naga Students’ Federation respectfully submits the following demands:
- An independent, impartial and time-bound investigation should be instituted into the abduction, captivity, torture and killing of the six Naga civilians, with all responsible persons identified and proceeded against through due process.
- A comprehensive investigation should be undertaken into all incidents involving killings, abductions, attacks on civilians, destruction of property and displacement to ensure justice for affected families.
- A comprehensive review and appropriate action regarding the Suspension of Operations (SOO) arrangement should be undertaken in view of concerns regarding violations, continued armed activities and grave human rights abuses associated with SoO.
- An independent inquiry should examine concerns relating to the conduct, neutrality and operational role of security forces in conflict-affected areas, including observations recorded during the NSF delegation’s field assessment.
- Immediate measures should be taken to protect Naga villages, civilian populations, ancestral lands and community institutions affected by the conflict.
- Effective measures should be adopted to address illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking and illicit arms proliferation through coordinated action by competent authorities.
- Safe and unrestricted movement of civilians along National Highway-202 and other strategic routes should be ensured through impartial and effective security arrangements.
- Sincere efforts towards lasting peace should be initiated through dialogue, justice, accountability and respect for the dignity and rights of all affected communities.
Your Excellency,
The Naga Students’ Federation respectfully submits that justice and accountability remain indispensable foundations for lasting peace. The suffering endured by affected families, particularly the families of the six Naga civilians who lost their lives, requires urgent attention and meaningful action.
The Federation places before Your Excellency the concerns documented during the Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission to Southern Nagalim, Manipur, and respectfully appeals for appropriate intervention to ensure justice for victims, accountability for grave violations, protection of civilians and restoration of peace in Manipur.
The Federation respectfully requests Your Excellency’s kind consideration of this Memorandum and the accompanying report. We pray this letter finds you well and in good health.
Thanking you.
Yours’ Faithfully,
Mteisuding
President NSF
Kenilo Kent
General Secretary NSF