ANSAM has announced intensified agitation, including a march to Imphal, after authorities failed to provide information on six Naga hostages abducted in May.
Ukhrul, June 4: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has announced a series of intensified democratic agitations, beginning with a march towards Imphal, following what it described as the government's failure to provide information on the whereabouts and condition of six Naga hostages abducted in May.
The decision was taken during an Emergency Assembly convened on June 3 at the Ukhrul district headquarters and hosted by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS). The meeting was called after the expiry of an ultimatum earlier issued by the association to the Government of Manipur and other concerned authorities regarding the six abducted individuals.
According to ANSAM, the Assembly noted with concern that no concrete information about the safety, condition or whereabouts of the six hostages had been made available despite the lapse of the deadline. The association said the absence of official updates had deepened anxiety among the affected families and the wider Naga community.
The six individuals were allegedly abducted on May 13 at Leilon Vaiphei village by the KNF(P), according to the association. ANSAM reiterated its demand that the state government establish the condition and location of the hostages and ensure their safe return to their families and the Naga people.
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As part of its response, the Assembly resolved to launch different forms of agitation. The first phase was scheduled to begin on June 4 with a march towards Imphal along National Highway-202. The association said participants from its various units would take part in the march and would meet the families of the six hostages at Makhan village.
The Assembly also reviewed an earlier decision to boycott the state government. It observed that the prevailing situation required broader participation and consultation within the Naga community before implementing such a move. In this regard, the gathering resolved to authorise the ANSAM Executive Council and its constituent units to undertake intensive consultations with stakeholders across Naga areas.
Another resolution adopted during the meeting was the formation of an action committee to address the prevailing situation in Naga-inhabited areas. The committee will be constituted by the Executive Council and will include former leaders of the association.
ANSAM further stated that it would hold the state government responsible for any untoward incident that may occur during the planned democratic march along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.
The association maintained that it would continue to pursue democratic and peaceful means to secure justice and ensure the safe return of the six hostages. It said the suffering experienced by the families could not be ignored and called for all possible efforts to reunite the abducted individuals with their loved ones.
The statement was jointly issued by ANSAM president Th. Angteshang Maring and general secretary Isaac Charenamei.
