Liangmai Naga organisations have urged the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to ensure the release of six remaining hostages allegedly abducted in Kangpokpi district.
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Imphal, May 19: Three apex Liangmai Naga organisations have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking immediate intervention for the safe and unconditional release of six remaining Naga hostages allegedly abducted by cadres of the Kuki National Front (Progressive) [KNF-P] in Kangpokpi district of Manipur.
The memorandum, submitted through Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, was jointly signed by the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi, Manipur, and Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi.
According to the memorandum, the incident took place on May 13 at around 10:45 am at Leilon Veiphei Kuki village under Kangpokpi district, where 18 civilians belonging to the indigenous Naga community were allegedly abducted by armed cadres of KNF-P, an armed group operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and affiliated with the United People’s Front (UPF).
The organisations alleged that the incident occurred within the operational area of KNF-P cadres functioning under the command structure of Thangboi Kipgen, identified in the memorandum as Chairman of UPF/KNF-P and husband of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
The memorandum stated that the incident has raised serious concern among indigenous Naga communities regarding repeated violations of the SoO ground rules and the continued presence and activities of armed cadres in civilian areas.
Referring to the security situation in Kangpokpi district, the organisations claimed that repeated incidents of intimidation, attacks, illegal occupation, kidnapping and armed aggression against minority indigenous Naga villages in vulnerable areas of the district and adjoining hill regions have increased in recent years.
According to the memorandum, such incidents have created “fear, insecurity, and communal tension” among indigenous inhabitants and undermined public confidence in the existing security arrangement under the SoO agreement.
The organisations further alleged that the growing demographic imbalance in Kangpokpi district due to “unchecked illegal infiltration” has become a serious concern for indigenous communities in the region. They urged the Government of India to take effective measures to control illegal infiltration, safeguard indigenous communities and prevent further violence in vulnerable Naga-inhabited areas.
The memorandum noted that 14 of the abducted civilians were released on May 15 at around 4:35 am through the efforts of the Government of Manipur and Central security forces. However, six persons still remain in captivity.
The six remaining hostages were identified as Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, pastor from Konsakhul village; Kenpibou, pastor from Harup Naga village; Pherongwibou Thiumai of Konsakhul; Pherilungbou Chawang of Konsakhul; Dilip Thiumai of Konsakhul; and Kaliwangbou Abonmai of Konsakhul village in Kangpokpi district.
The organisations said the continued captivity of the six civilians has caused “immense mental trauma and anxiety” among family members and the wider Liangmai Naga community. They expressed concern over the safety and wellbeing of the hostages and described the abduction as a serious threat to peace, communal harmony and the rule of law in the state.
Through the memorandum, the organisations appealed to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and concerned authorities to ensure the safe, unconditional and earliest possible release of all six hostages.
They also urged the Government of India to take stringent action against those involved in the incident and review the continuation of the Suspension of Operations agreement with armed groups allegedly involved in unlawful activities against civilians.
Among the key demands raised in the memorandum was the immediate launch of intensive combing and search operations in affected areas to rescue the remaining hostages.
The organisations also demanded immediate abrogation of the SoO agreement with KNF-P and UPF-linked armed groups allegedly connected to the incident.
In addition, they sought strengthening of security arrangements in vulnerable indigenous Naga villages through deployment of Central security forces to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.
The memorandum listed several villages where enhanced security deployment was sought, including Leikhampokpi, Chawangkining, Thonglang Atongba, Thonglang Akutpa, Tapon, Tapon Namsan, Harup Naga, Makui Naga, Langka, Makhan, Konsakhul, Ireng Naga, K Lungwiram and Khunkhu Naga villages.
The organisations further demanded strict enforcement of law and stringent action against all persons and KNF-P cadres allegedly involved in the kidnapping and intimidation of civilians.
The memorandum concluded by expressing hope that the Government of India would take urgent steps “in the interest of justice, peace, humanity, and the protection of Indigenous communities in Manipur.”
