UKHRUL: A large sit-in protest was held at Changanggei Community Hall in Imphal West on Tuesday under the banner of the Justice for the Six Sons of Koubru Joint Committee (J6SKUC), with demonstrators demanding justice for six Liangmai Naga civilians who were allegedly abducted and brutally killed.
The protest was supported by the Changanggei Apunba Club, Langdai Khangsunaha, the Joint Tribes Council (JTC), AMUCO, COCOMI, 14 Civil Society Organisations, RIFPCO Manipur and several other organisations. Following the sit-in, participants formed a human chain and raised slogans while displaying placards demanding justice and accountability.
The J6SKUC is a citizens’ platform constituted under the aegis of the Joint Tribes Council, the apex body representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme tribes. The committee was formed to coordinate a peaceful, democratic and united movement seeking justice for the six victims while working closely with civil society organisations across Manipur to ensure accountability, uphold the rule of law and secure justice for the bereaved families. The committee is coordinated by Chingdinliu Panmei, State President of Rongmei Naga Luphwam, Manipur.
The gathering witnessed the participation of community leaders, women, youth, elders and representatives of several supporting organisations, reflecting broad-based public support for the campaign. Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Arrest the Named Killers. Prosecute the Guilty,” “End SoO. End the Proxy War,” “Declare KNF-P as a Terrorist Organisation,” “Accountability Starts at the Top,” and “Protect Our Land. Uphold the Law.”
Addressing the gathering, representatives of J6SKUC said justice cannot be delayed when innocent civilians have been abducted and brutally killed. They emphasised that the movement is not directed against any particular community but is aimed at ensuring the impartial enforcement of the law, bringing those responsible to justice and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
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The committee called on the government to immediately arrest and prosecute all those allegedly involved in the abduction and killing, including Lalboi Vaiphei, Chief of Leilon Vaiphei Village, Thanggilian Vaiphei, a serving Manipur Police personnel, and members of the Kuki National Front (Presidential) [KNF-P]. It also demanded the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, alleging that it has enabled an ongoing proxy war, and urged the government to declare the KNF-P a terrorist organisation and initiate stringent legal action against its members and support networks.
Further, the committee sought the immediate removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, stating that such a step was necessary to restore public confidence and ensure accountability. It also demanded the eviction of all illegal villages allegedly established in violation of the law and the restoration of encroached government and protected lands.
The organisers reiterated that their demands are intended to uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability and prevent impunity. They appealed to both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to act without delay and demonstrate that no individual or organisation is above the law.
The J6SKUC further announced that the movement would continue through peaceful and democratic means until justice is delivered to the six Liangmai Naga victims, the perpetrators are brought before the law and the demands placed before the government are addressed.
