Imphal, June 26: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has rejected the apology issued by the Kuki-Zo Council over the killing of six Naga civilians abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village, asserting that the statement falls short of accepting responsibility and cannot replace legal accountability. The association maintained that justice for the victims must come through prosecution of those responsible rather than public expressions of regret.
In a press release issued on June 25, ANSAM stated that the apology would remain unacceptable until the individuals involved in the abduction and killing are identified, arrested and brought before the law. The organisation said public statements cannot substitute due legal process, adding that accountability must be established through judicial action rather than declarations lacking legal consequences.
The association also criticised the Kuki-Zo Council for referring to the victims as “Katcha Nagas” in its statement, describing the terminology as historically inaccurate and deeply offensive. According to ANSAM, the language reflected continuing prejudice and communal bias instead of genuine remorse for the incident.
Recounting the incident, ANSAM alleged that the six civilians were abducted, held captive, tortured, mutilated and subsequently killed in what it described as ancestral Naga territory. It said the incident represented not only the loss of six lives but also an attack on the dignity, security and collective identity of the Naga community.
The students’ body further questioned the authority of the Kuki-Zo Council to issue the apology, asking whether it was speaking on behalf of those directly responsible for the killings or whether it was itself accepting responsibility for the crime. It also sought clarification on whether organisations representing Zomi groups recognise the Kuki-Zo Council and endorse the apology issued in the matter.
ANSAM also dismissed allegations linking Nagas to the killing of three Thadou church leaders, stating that the incident occurred in areas where, according to the association, Nagas neither have access nor influence. It termed allegations of Naga involvement as baseless and alleged that such claims were intended to fuel communal tensions through misinformation.
Calling for immediate action, ANSAM urged both the Manipur government and the Central government to ensure that those responsible for the killings are arrested and prosecuted without delay. The association also reiterated its support for the charter of demands submitted by the United Naga Council, maintaining that symbolic gestures cannot replace legal accountability. It added that lasting reconciliation could only be achieved through truth, accountability, respect for identity, acknowledgment of historical facts and the proper administration of justice.
