Members of the Naga and Meitei communities, along with representatives of other communities, staged a sit-in protest at Khwairamband Ima Market in Imphal on Monday, demanding justice for indigenous people killed during the ongoing ethnic conflict and alleging government inaction.
The protest was jointly organised by the Naga People Union Imphal, Imphal Naga Business Association, Foothill Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC), Khwairamband Nupi Keithel, Ima Gi Meira and the Committee on Coordinated Response and Rehabilitation (CCRR).
Participants included members of the Naga, Meitei, Meitei Pangal and other non-Manipuri communities residing in the state.
The protesters urged the government to convene a special or monsoon session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to discuss measures for restoring peace. They also demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki armed groups, an end to what they described as India’s “proxy war”, and the release of volunteers from the Meitei and Naga communities who have been arrested in connection with the conflict.
Speaking to reporters, Ima Gi Meira convenor Sujata Thokchom alleged that Kuki armed groups had targeted indigenous Meitei and Naga communities during the conflict and accused the government of failing to deliver justice to the victims.
She referred to the killing of six Naga civilians who were allegedly abducted and murdered more than a month ago, claiming that despite one Kuki group allegedly admitting involvement, those responsible had not been arrested or punished.
Thokchom said previous protests organised by individual communities had failed to produce any response, prompting a united demonstration involving multiple communities.
Naga activist Ashang Kasar also criticised the government over the lack of action, alleging that the bodies of the six Naga civilians have remained at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences mortuary for nearly 40 days while their families continue to await justice.
He questioned the government’s response and urged the authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The state government did not immediately respond to the allegations raised during the protest.
