Imphal, May 27: The Naga People’s Front (NPF), Manipur State Unit, has strongly objected to statements reportedly made by Kuki civil society organisations (CSOs) denying knowledge of the whereabouts of six Naga men allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
In a statement issued on May 26, the NPF described the reported claim as “deeply disturbing” and questioned what it called contradictions in the position taken by the Kuki organisations. The party argued that while information about other abducted civilians had allegedly surfaced, the denial regarding the six missing individuals raised serious concerns.
According to the NPF, a total of 14 civilians, including men, women and a child, were allegedly abducted together during the incident. The party stated that several women and a child who had allegedly been taken along with their family members were later released on May 15, while six men continued to remain missing.
The NPF claimed that the testimonies of the women who were released served as crucial accounts of the incident and challenged the denial issued by the Kuki CSOs. According to the party, the survivors had provided details regarding the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the alleged separation from their family members.
The women identified by the NPF as having been released are Kachlaklung Thiumai, wife of Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai; Winiliu Thiumai and her daughter Sarah Thiumai, wife and daughter of Dilip Thiumai; and Wibonliu Chawang, wife of Phenrilungbou Chawang.
The six individuals who remain untraced were identified as Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Phenrilungbou Chawang, Pherongwibou Thiumai, Kenpibou Chawang and Kliwangbou Abonmai.
Raising a series of questions over the reported denial, the NPF asked who was responsible for taking the men, who separated husbands from their families, and who later released the women while the men allegedly remained in captivity. The party also questioned how such an incident could allegedly take place in broad daylight without information emerging regarding the whereabouts of those still missing.
The organisation stated that the continued denial despite what it described as eyewitness accounts had further heightened anxiety and mistrust within the Naga community. It added that while the community had shown restraint despite emotional distress, prolonged uncertainty and conflicting narratives could negatively affect inter-community relations.
The NPF demanded immediate disclosure of the whereabouts of the six missing men, their safe and unconditional release, and accountability for those found responsible. The party also stated that it would continue pursuing the matter and stand with the affected families until the facts surrounding the case are fully established.
