MNYO criticises the Manipur government over governance and security, demands the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, and seeks an independent probe into the killing of six Naga civilians.
Imphal, June 26: The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) on Friday issued a strongly worded statement expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the BJP-led government in Manipur, alleging failures in governance, security and handling of the ongoing ethnic conflict. The organisation also demanded the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers and called for an independent investigation into the recent killing of six Naga civilians.
In a press statement issued on June 26, MNYO said it had closely monitored the functioning of the government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh over the past several months and had concluded that the administration had failed to inspire public confidence amid the continuing crisis in the state.
The organisation claimed the government had not expanded its Council of Ministers despite completing five months in office, describing it as an unprecedented situation in the state's electoral history. It further alleged that the state government had been neglected by the Centre and argued that Manipur continued to face political, administrative and security challenges without effective intervention.
According to the MNYO, the BJP governments at both the Centre and in the state have failed to appreciate the complex ethnic realities of Manipur and the wider Northeast. It maintained that lasting peace cannot be achieved through what it described as selective governance or unequal treatment of different communities.
Alleges Governance Bias
The youth organisation alleged that the present government has acted in a manner that has created a perception of favouring one particular community, thereby weakening public confidence in the neutrality of the state administration.
The statement said repeated representations submitted by the organisation regarding alleged diversion of Tribal Affairs and Hills Department resources and developmental imbalances affecting Naga areas had not received any meaningful response.
MNYO alleged that despite complaints against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, the BJP leadership had not taken corrective action or provided any explanation regarding the issues raised.
According to the organisation, such inaction reflected what it described as indifference towards the concerns and aspirations of the Naga community.
Criticises Security Situation
The organisation also criticised the government's handling of the security situation, claiming that increased deployment of security forces had not succeeded in addressing violence in parts of the state.
It alleged that armed Kuki groups had carried out abductions and killings targeting Naga villages and civilians since February this year. The statement further referred to the recent killing of six Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei village and alleged that the perpetrators had not yet been brought to justice.
MNYO claimed that while Naga groups had earlier released 14 Kuki detainees, the killing of the six civilians represented an act of extreme brutality that required immediate action by the authorities.
The organisation further alleged that the government continued to provide political patronage to individuals linked to Kuki organisations, an allegation it said had undermined public confidence. It called upon the Chief Minister to demonstrate impartiality in addressing the conflict.
Threatens Protest Measures
The statement warned that if the present situation continued, Naga organisations would be compelled to intensify democratic protests.
According to MNYO, these could include restrictions and boycotts in Naga areas as well as a non-cooperation movement against the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) until all those responsible for the killing of the six Naga civilians are arrested and prosecuted.
The organisation also criticised what it described as excessive militarisation in parts of the state while alleging that the actual perpetrators of violence continued to evade arrest. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Raises Concerns Over CRPF Operations
MNYO also expressed concern over statements attributed to the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), claiming they reflected an approach that could lead to excessive use of force.
The organisation argued that any security operation should remain within the framework of the Constitution and respect human rights.
It alleged that failure to disarm armed groups and armed volunteers at an earlier stage had contributed to the escalation of violence in Manipur.
The statement also cautioned against the deployment of the CRPF's CoBRA units in ways that, according to the organisation, could resemble the implementation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in previous decades.
Drawing parallels with the history of AFSPA in the Northeast, MNYO claimed the law had resulted in widespread human rights violations and had failed to resolve insurgency. It urged security agencies to confine military operations only to active conflict zones and avoid actions that could lead to civilian rights violations.
Questions Constitutional Role of State Government
The organisation questioned the functioning of the Chief Minister's office during the ongoing crisis, alleging that important decisions relating to Manipur were increasingly being influenced by the Union Government.
According to the statement, if the Chief Minister was either unwilling or unable to exercise constitutional authority impartially, he should relinquish office in the interest of peace and justice.
Seeks Judicial Probe
A major portion of the statement focused on allegations concerning the political positions of two BJP legislators whose spouses, according to the organisation, are associated with Kuki armed groups.
MNYO claimed that such circumstances create a perception of conflict of interest and called for greater transparency and accountability.
The organisation demanded that all allegations involving public officials or persons connected to constitutional authorities be investigated through an independent, impartial and time-bound judicial inquiry.
It further stated that no individual, regardless of political office or influence, should be placed above the law if credible allegations of involvement in serious criminal offences exist.
Appeal to Naga Legislators
The youth body also appealed to elected Naga representatives to take a more active role in addressing the ongoing crisis.
It said legislators have a responsibility to safeguard the rights, security and aspirations of the people they represent and urged them not to remain silent during the present situation.
According to the statement, this was not the time for political calculations but for united action in defence of the interests of indigenous communities.
Demands Removal of Deputy Chief Minister
Reiterating its principal demand, MNYO urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to remove Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers.
The organisation alleged that her continuation in office could affect the independence of investigations into the recent killings at Leilon Vaiphei village.
It further demanded the immediate arrest of the village chief, authority members, women's society leaders, youth leaders and other persons allegedly connected with the incident so that legal proceedings could take place in accordance with the law.
The statement concluded by asserting that removing the Deputy Chief Minister would, according to the organisation, facilitate an impartial investigation and help restore public confidence in the administration's handling of the case.
