Thousands of youths joined an ANSAM-led rally in Imphal demanding justice for six Naga civilians killed in Kangpokpi and calling for speedy investigation.
Imphal, June 20: Thousands of indigenous youths participated in a mass rally in Imphal on Saturday, demanding justice for six Naga civilians who were abducted and later found dead in Kangpokpi district. The rally, organised under the banner of the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), also saw participants raise slogans expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the state authorities.
The rally began at around 11:30 am from the Tangkhul Baptist Church at Kabaw Leikai. Participants marched towards North AOC before turning back from the Khuyathong Traffic Point and returning to the starting point. Security personnel were deployed along the route to prevent any untoward incidents.
Large numbers of youths carrying placards and banners joined the demonstration. Protesters raised slogans demanding justice for the six victims and called for stronger action against those responsible for the killings. Some of the placards carried messages seeking a speedy investigation and urging the authorities to address the concerns raised by the Naga community.
The demonstration comes amid growing demands from Naga civil society organisations for a thorough probe into the abduction and killing of the six civilians, whose bodies were recovered after they reportedly went missing from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
Addressing the gathering, ANSAM president Th. Angteshang Maring alleged that the six victims had been abducted and killed by Kuki militants. He condemned the incident and demanded that the authorities expedite the investigation.
"Deliver justice for the six Nagas who were brutally killed after being abducted. Bring out the truth regarding who killed them and why. Although the authorities claim to be investigating the killings, the process must be accelerated and those involved should be arrested and punished," he said.
Maring expressed concern that no arrests had been made so far in connection with the case. Referring to reports that the investigation has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said the Naga community hoped the agency would uncover the facts behind the killings at the earliest.
He further stated that the protests launched by Naga organisations had remained democratic and peaceful. Maring also reiterated demands for the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups and called for stronger action against organisations allegedly linked to the violence.
"We will continue our democratic agitation until justice is delivered. We want to live peacefully and harmoniously as before," he said.
Speaking at the rally, Naga Women's Union president Prescilla Thiumai questioned the pace of the investigation and sought immediate legal action against those responsible.
She described the killing of the six civilians as a grave crime and said the families of the victims were still waiting for answers more than a month after the incident.
"Why have the authorities failed to identify or apprehend those involved in the killings till now? We demand speedy justice and concrete action. Our agitation will continue until justice is delivered to the victims and their families," she said.
The rally remained peaceful throughout its course and concluded without any reported incidents. Participants reiterated that their demand was for a transparent and time-bound investigation into the deaths of the six civilians.
The killing of the six Naga civilians has triggered widespread protests and condemnation across Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur in recent weeks. Various student bodies, tribal organisations and civil society groups have been pressing the state and central governments to ensure accountability and bring those responsible to justice.
Saturday's rally marked one of the largest public mobilisations on the issue in the state capital, reflecting continuing anger and concern among sections of the Naga community over the progress of the investigation.
