Hundreds join ANSAM’s rally seeking justice for six slain Naga hostages
Correspondent
IMPHAL, Jun 20: Cry for justice for the six Liangmai Naga hostages whose badly mutilated mortal remains were discovered recently echoed during a massive rally in Imphal, the capital city of restive Manipur on Saturday.
Hundreds of members of various Naga tribes took part in the rally carried out on the streets in Imphal under the aegis of the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM).
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Balla and chief minister Y Khemchand Singh also directly heard the voices crying for justice as their convoys passed through the road where the rally proceeded. Six out of 18 Liangmai Naga members from Konsakhul village abducted by Kuki group at Leilon (Vaiphei) village in Kangpokpi district on May 13 last were brutally murdered. Their badly mutilated mortal remains were discovered during an operation by the security forces on June 10 last.
The discovery of the mortal remains came within 24-hour of the safe release of 14 Kuki members detained by the Naga groups on the same day (May 13) that triggered an intense hostage stand-off. Angered by the brutal killing of the six villagers, various Naga groups have been seeking justice for the victims while pressing for a decisive action to book the culprits.
The ANSAM organized the rally under the theme “Demanding Justice for the Infamous Leilon Vaiphei Massacre Carried Out by KNF-P.” The rally drew huge participation from not only from the Naga tribes but also other communities, particularly from Meiteis residing in Imphal.
The participants voiced outrage over what they termed the government’s failure to bring the perpetrators to justice even after more than a month after the disappearance of the six Naga members.
The protest rally that kicked off from Imphal’s Tangkhul Baptist Church, snaked through Khoyathong and culminated at Mao Market, Imphal.
Placards and banners seeking justice for the slain hostages, decisive action against the armed groups involved in the kidnapping and brutal murder of the hostages and immediate measures to restore peace and security in the state were displayed during the rally.
While calling for immediate arrest of those responsible for the killings, the rally also sought dismantling of infrastructures of the armed militancy operating under the cover of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) truce.
They demanded abrogation of the SoO truce with all the Kuki militant groups, alleging that the armed groups were using the arrangement as tools to exploit and terrorize people instead of checking violence.
With a strong allegation of involvement of cadres of KNF(P), a Kuki militant group under suspension of operation truce with the Centre and the state government, the rally demanded action against its leadership.
Protesters further demanded the removal of deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen while alleging her links with the armed group (KNF(P).
The president of the KNF-P is the husband of the deputy chief minister and in this pretext, the Naga civil society groups have been pressing to remove Nemcha Kipgen from her present position.
Talking to the reporters on the sideline of the rally, ANSAM president Anteshang Maring said that the objective of organizing the rally was to amplify the voices of the victims’ families and communities’ demand for justice.
He lamented that no significant breakthrough came up to the investigation of the case related to the abduction and subsequent murder of the six innocent villagers even after more than a month.
“No arrests were reported till date,” he said, asserting that not only ANSAM but also others were disappointed with the investigation.
Maring also questioned the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims.
He further alleged that the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) faction was involved in the abduction and killings while stressing a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the group and its role in the ongoing unrest in the state.
While pressing for stringent legal action against those found responsible for the murder, he also urged authorities to designate the group as a terrorist organization.
The ANSAM president argued that the crime committed at Leilon Vaiphei village represented more than an isolated criminal act. He also described the incident as a serious challenge to the rule of law and public confidence in the state’s security apparatus.
He called upon both the state and central governments to act swiftly and decisively before public trust deteriorates further.