A group of Naga legislators from Manipur has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate action against Kuki-Zo leaders and militant groups, alleging their involvement in a series of attacks and killings of Naga civilians in the state.
In a letter to Shah, the legislators described the situation in Manipur as “critical and volatile” and called for unbiased, decisive and bold action to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation.
The MLAs sought the arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders whom they alleged had publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of six Naga men. They also demanded action against Thangboi Kipgen of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), alleging the involvement of the outfit’s cadres in the killings.
The legislators further sought action against Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging collusion between her office and the Kuki militant group led by her husband, Thangboi Kipgen. The allegations were made in the letter and were not independently established. They also demanded the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups, citing alleged violations and attacks on civilians.
The letter referred to the killing of four Naga men in an alleged militant ambush along the IT Road on August 27, besides other incidents at TM Kasom and Langka village. The legislators alleged that those responsible for earlier attacks had not been brought to justice.
They warned that failure to act could make it increasingly difficult for them to answer questions from the public over their continued support for the Manipur government. The MLAs urged the Union Home Minister to take immediate steps to restore peace and normalcy in the violence-hit state.
