UKHRUL: The nine Naga legislators of the Manipur Legislative Assembly have urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene immediately in the prevailing situation in the state, warning that the “human tragedy” in Manipur has reached a critical and volatile stage.
In a letter to the Union Home Minister, the legislators, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, said the prevailing situation has serious ramifications for all aspects of public life and cautioned that the state could descend into an uncontrollable situation if “unbiased, decisive and bold action” is not taken without delay.
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The Naga legislators placed a series of demands before the Union Home Minister, including the immediate arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders whom they alleged had publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of six Naga civilians.
They also demanded the immediate arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging that cadres of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), led by a person identified by them as “Gen Tiger Kipgen”, were responsible for the killing and mutilation of the six Naga men.
The legislators further alleged that the KNF-P leader had been involved in similar acts of violence against civilians. They called for his apprehension and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Seeking action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, the legislators alleged that her office was colluding with the Kuki militant group allegedly led by her husband. They said such alleged links had made it difficult for people to understand and support the peace process being pursued by the government.
The legislators also demanded the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki militant groups, citing what they described as repeated violations and acts of violence against civilians.
According to the legislators, the bodies of six Naga men remain unclaimed amid protests over the alleged failure to arrest those responsible. They further alleged that four more Naga men were killed in an ambush along the IT Road on August 27, which they attributed to Kuki militants.
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The legislators also referred to several other incidents which, they alleged, were carried out by Kuki militants in recent months. These included an ambush at TM Kasom on NH-202 on April 18, in which two people were killed, and an attack on Langka village on August 14, during which the village was allegedly burnt down, and two farmers were killed.
The Naga legislators warned that failure to act on their demands would make it difficult for them to defend or adequately respond to questions raised by the public over their continued support for the Manipur government.
They maintained that their appeal to the Union Home Minister was made solely in the larger interest of the people of Manipur and out of what they described as “absolute necessity.”
