Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam assures arrests in the killing of six Naga civilians as grieving families demand swift action and a transparent investigation.
Imphal, June 12: The identities of all six Naga civilians who had been missing and were later found dead have now been confirmed, even as grief-stricken family members and community leaders demanded swift action against those responsible for the killings. The victims' bodies are yet to undergo post-mortem examination, and reports indicate that the families do not intend to claim the remains.
State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Thursday assured that all those involved in the killings would be arrested and prosecuted under the law at the earliest.
The Home Minister made the statement while visiting the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, where the bodies were kept. He had gone there to meet and console the bereaved family members.
Speaking to reporters, Govindas said security forces had been conducting search operations based on available leads and evidence. He acknowledged that the state continues to face challenges due to inadequate deployment of security personnel in some areas.
Referring to recent reinforcements, he said two battalions of the CRPF's COBRA force had arrived in Manipur and expressed hope that their deployment would help improve the situation. However, he stressed that peace and stability could not be achieved through security measures alone.
“Even if additional security forces are deployed, the situation cannot improve unless people cooperate with the government and violence stops,” he said.
Condemning the killings, the Home Minister described the incident as inhuman and said the brutal murder of innocent civilians could not be justified under any circumstances.
“Capturing innocent citizens and brutally killing them is not human behaviour. This is condemnable at the highest level,” he said, adding that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.
Earlier in the day, community leaders and family members of the deceased expressed anger over the condition in which the bodies were recovered.
According to Konsakhul village chairman Adam, the victims were subjected to extreme violence before being killed. He claimed the bodies were so badly mutilated that identification was not possible through facial features and could only be established through the clothes they were wearing.
He questioned the official account regarding the recovery of the bodies and urged the government to disclose who carried out the killings, where the victims were killed and the exact location from where the bodies were recovered.
Family members also raised demands for action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen during their interaction with the Home Minister.
Responding to the demand, Govindas stated that no individual was above the law.
“Even if she is the Deputy Chief Minister, she can be arrested. There is no such thing as someone who cannot be arrested. If found guilty, anyone can be arrested,” he said.
Representing the families, Wiriangjinliu Chawang said the incident had severely damaged trust between neighbouring communities and questioned how residents of Konsakhul and Leilon Vaiphei would be able to coexist after the killings.
She alleged that authorities had failed to adequately investigate individuals linked to the case and expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigation. Chawang also demanded a security operation in Leilon Vaiphei and reiterated calls for action against those allegedly connected to the incident.
The families further demanded that the six victims be buried in Leilon Vaiphei village, which they believe is connected to the case.
Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also visited the families to offer condolences. He appealed for restraint and urged people not to respond with violence.
Biren said peace could only be restored through dialogue and engagement rather than retaliatory actions. He expressed confidence that the recently appointed Director General of Police, along with additional security forces deployed by the Centre, would help contain militant activities and improve the security situation.
The former Chief Minister also voiced hope that those responsible for the killings would be arrested soon and punished in accordance with the law.
The deaths of the six Naga civilians have triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns about security in vulnerable areas of the state, with community leaders calling for a transparent investigation and swift justice for the victims.
