Naga organisations in Senapati resolved to intensify their agitation over the killing of six civilians, while the Tahamzam Youth Forum criticised the Manipur government's security response.
Senapati, June 29: Naga civil society organisations in Senapati district on Monday announced that they would intensify their ongoing agitation over the killing of six Naga civilians, while a youth body accused the Manipur government of responding to demands for justice with force instead of ensuring the arrest of those accused in the case.
The statements were issued separately by the Naga People's Organisation (NPO) and the Tahamzam Youth Forum (TYF) amid the continuing inter-district economic blockade called by the United Naga Council (UNC).
In a joint meeting attended by the NPO, Tribe Hohos, Senapati District Women Association (SDWA) and Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), the organisations resolved to strengthen the agitation through what they described as more effective measures.
According to the NPO, a Supervisor Committee has been constituted to monitor and enforce the agitation more strictly, with a specific focus on preventing the inter-district movement of commodities.
The organisations appealed to the public to cooperate with the committee and maintain discipline during the agitation. They also warned that any individual or group found violating the agitation would face strict action and said no violations would be condoned.
The joint statement further urged all Naga villages to remain vigilant to ensure effective implementation of the agitation.
The organisations reiterated that the agitation would continue until justice is delivered for the six Naga civilians who were abducted and killed earlier this month. In the statement, the NPO alleged that the victims were kidnapped from Leilon Vaiphei village, handed over to armed militants and later murdered. It also named certain individuals, including Lalboy Vaiphei and KNF-P leader Thangboi Kipgen, in connection with the incident. The organisation further alleged that Thangboi Kipgen is the husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and there has been no official response from the state government or the individuals named in the statement at the time of filing this report.
Separately, the Tahamzam Youth Forum strongly criticised the Manipur government over security operations conducted on Monday in Thonglang Atongba village.
The forum claimed that the government had responded to the Naga community's demand for justice with intimidation instead of taking action against those accused in the killings. It argued that the ongoing economic blockade was a direct consequence of what it described as the government's failure to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
Referring to the security operation, the TYF alleged that personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBs) and Manipur Police entered Thonglang Atongba village in the early hours of Monday to escort a convoy through the area. It further alleged that tear gas, stun munitions and gunfire were used during the operation, creating panic among residents, including women, children and elderly people.
The forum questioned why security forces were deployed in large numbers in a Naga village while, according to it, those accused in the killings had not yet been arrested. It also asked why similar efforts had not been directed towards apprehending the suspects.
TYF demanded that the government immediately stop what it termed the "militarisation" of Naga villages and instead focus on arresting and prosecuting everyone responsible for the killings.
The organisation said the government must demonstrate its commitment to justice and the rule of law, warning that continued inaction would further erode public confidence.
The Manipur government has not issued any response to the latest allegations made by the NPO and TYF. Earlier, the government had maintained that security deployments in the area were intended to maintain law and order and facilitate the movement of essential supplies.
