NPO questions Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen’s peace efforts and response to the alleged abduction of 20 Naga civilians and killing of six in Manipur.
Imphal, Sept 6: The Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Senapati, has questioned Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen’s claims of working for reconciliation and peace, following her response to remarks made by Deputy Chief Minister L. Dikho.
In a press release issued on September 6, the NPO accused Kipgen of remaining silent during the alleged abduction of 20 Naga civilians and the subsequent killing of six of them. The organisation also questioned why, according to its account, Kipgen did not intervene when efforts were underway to secure the release of the abducted civilians.
The NPO contrasted Kipgen’s alleged response with the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister L. Dikho, whom it claimed faced public and political pressure while working to secure the release of 14 Kuki individuals.
The organisation questioned Kipgen’s statement that she had approached Kuki civil society organisations for the release of 18 Naga detainees. According to the NPO, the actual number of Naga civilians abducted was 20, of whom 14 were subsequently released through an exchange arrangement. It stated that the group included a breastfeeding infant.
The NPO further questioned the use of the term “detainees”, asking how six of the 20 civilians later came to be killed if they had merely been detained. It alleged that the bodies of the six victims were dismembered and mutilated.
The organisation also referred to allegations concerning the involvement of KNF-P in the incident and questioned the basis on which Kipgen approached Kuki civil society organisations for the release of the civilians. These are allegations contained in the NPO statement and have not been independently established in the release.
The NPO maintained that Dikho had explored various avenues to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur, including visits to Kuki, Naga and Meitei areas.
It also cited the visit to Litan during the period of the incident, stating that MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing accompanied Dikho and that they met representatives of Naga and Kuki civil society organisations in the presence of MLA Ram Muivah.
In contrast, the NPO asked Kipgen to specify the concrete peace and reconciliation initiatives she undertook, particularly during the period when, according to the organisation, her intervention was urgently required.
The organisation also rejected Kipgen’s description of Dikho’s statement as “completely false, vexatious and baseless”, arguing that such a serious denial should be supported by evidence.
The NPO concluded by demanding clear answers from the Deputy Chief Minister and maintained that the circumstances surrounding the abduction and killing of the Naga civilians required accountability.
