Senapati: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur has sharply denounced what it described as ongoing efforts to protect those allegedly involved in the abduction of six Naga men from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13, 2026. The six men remain untraced.
The condemnation came in response to a statement issued by the Kuki-Zo Council to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 25, in which the council asserted that Leilon Vaiphei village chief Lalboi Vaiphei had “absolutely no connection whatsoever” with the alleged abduction. The KZC further stated that the chief was away for medical reasons at the time of the incident.
Rejecting the explanation, ANSAM stated that the claim was “baseless and unacceptable” and could not absolve the village leadership of responsibility. The association argued that even if the chief was physically absent, village authorities and officials under his jurisdiction were obligated to respond to the incident and cooperate with investigations. ANSAM maintained that, as village chief, Lalboi Vaiphei remained accountable for serious incidents occurring within and around the village.
According to ANSAM, the abductors allegedly separated six men from a group of 18 civilians before taking them away in vehicles. The organisation cited testimonies from released women, who reportedly identified “around 30 Kuki women and men” involved in handing over the captives to alleged Kuki militants. ANSAM said the statements provided sufficient grounds for a thorough investigation and demanded that the four individuals already arrested in connection with the case face strict legal action, while calling for more arrests without delay.
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The association also addressed attempts to link the abduction to the May 13 ambush in which three senior leaders of the Thadou Baptist Church Association were killed. ANSAM asserted that the incidents had “absolutely nothing to do with the Naga people” and accused certain Kuki groups of falsely blaming Nagas for the attack. It pointed out that Thadou community apex bodies had clarified on the same day that the ambush was carried out by Kuki militant factions.
Further criticising the Kuki Inpi Manipur, ANSAM alleged that the organisation’s denial of involvement was riddled with contradictions. “Truth cannot be buried beneath orchestrated narratives and propaganda,” the association stated.
Reaffirming its stand, ANSAM declared that the Naga community would continue pressing for answers until all six missing men are accounted for. The organisation demanded immediate, impartial and decisive intervention from the authorities to trace the missing individuals, ensure justice for the victims and their families, and bring all those responsible to justice without fear or favour.
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