UKHRUL/NEW DELHI, June 27: The United Naga Council (UNC) on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government to intervene in the prevailing situation in Manipur, calling for protection of Naga-inhabited areas, justice for the six murdered Naga civilians, and expedited progress on the Indo-Naga political process.
Addressing a press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi, senior UNC leaders said the current situation in Manipur could no longer be treated as a routine law-and-order issue and urged the Centre to respond politically and constitutionally to what they described as growing security concerns in Naga areas. The press conference was facilitated by the Delhi Solidarity Group.
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The UNC delegation, led by Ng Lorho, Vareiyo Shatsang, Samson Remei, AC Thotso, KS Paul Leo and L Adani, also placed before the national media a memorandum jointly submitted by the United Naga Council, the Naga Women’s Union and the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur, to the Prime Minister.
The Council said its delegation has been meeting political leaders, civil society organisations, women’s groups and peace activists in New Delhi to present what it described as the Naga people’s position on the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
According to the UNC, this was the first time Naga elders from Manipur had collectively addressed the national media following the recent violence affecting Naga areas. The Council alleged that recent developments had directly threatened Naga civilians and territories while further eroding public confidence in both the State and Union Governments.
The UNC revisited the events surrounding the abduction of 20 Naga civilians on May 13 following the killing of three Thadou church leaders earlier that day. It said 14 hostages were released on May 15, while six remained missing despite repeated appeals and extensions granted to the Government of Manipur to secure their release.
The UNC further recalled that on June 9, Naga village guards, facilitated by the UNC and the Naga People Organisation, Senapati, released 14 Kuki detainees as a humanitarian gesture. However, it said the following day, June 10, the mortal remains of the six missing Naga civilians were recovered in a mutilated condition, an incident it described as having caused profound grief among the Naga people.
Calling for accountability, the UNC demanded a time-bound, independent and court-monitored investigation into the abduction and killing of the six civilians. It also sought enhanced security arrangements in Naga-inhabited areas, particularly in vulnerable regions where it alleged civilians have faced intimidation, hostage-taking and armed movement.
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Referring to its memorandum to the Prime Minister, the UNC alleged that attacks on Naga villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts on May 7 involved cross-border armed groups using sophisticated weapons, including drones and rocket launchers. It argued that such incidents invoke the Union Government’s constitutional responsibility under Article 355 to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance.
“Our appeal to the Prime Minister is direct. Honour the Framework Agreement, secure the Naga areas and stop treating armed aggression against Naga civilians as a local disturbance,” the UNC said during the media briefing.
The UNC then reiterated several demands before the Union Government, including the arrest and prosecution of those allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of the six Naga civilians, those accused in the killing of Wilson Thanga Chiru at Joujangtek, and individuals, including the Chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, whom the UNC alleged were connected to the crime. It also sought action against certain serving Manipur Police personnel whom it accused of involvement.
The UNC further demanded that the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) be declared a terrorist organisation and called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. It alleged that several SoO groups continue to operate outside designated camps in violation of the ground rules.
Among its political demands, the Council also called for the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging a conflict of interest arising from her family connection to the leadership of the KNF-P.
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The memorandum additionally urged the Centre to uphold the Indo-Naga Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015; prevent any administrative arrangement affecting Naga ancestral lands; evict illegal armed groups from Naga areas; restore security along National Highways; institute a judicial inquiry into the attacks since February 2026; and expedite an honourable and inclusive Indo-Naga political settlement.
The UNC maintained that the 21 Naga tribes of Manipur continue to stand united under the UNC’s leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing peaceful and constitutional means while seeking justice, security and protection for Naga civilians.
