IMPHAL, Aug. 8: Hundreds of villagers from the Naga and Meitei communities staged a black-flag protest along National Highway-2 at Makhan on Friday as Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s convoy passed through the area on his way to Kangpokpi.
The protesters opposed the Chief Minister’s proposed visit to a relief camp in Makhan and demanded justice for six Naga civilians who were allegedly abducted nearly three months ago and later found dead at Leilon Vaiphei village. Their bodies were reportedly dismembered.
Singh was travelling to Kangpokpi with several Cabinet colleagues and BJP legislators following an invitation from Kuki civil society organisations (CSOs). The visit was being closely watched as reportedly the first invitation extended to the Chief Minister by Kuki CSOs, raising expectations of a possible opening for dialogue amid efforts to restore peace in Manipur.
However, Singh’s planned visit to the Makhan relief camp was cancelled after villagers indicated that they did not want to receive him. Hundreds instead gathered along the highway and waved black flags as his convoy crossed the village.
Timothy Wijunamai, co-convenor of the Joint Tribe Council (JTC) and president of the Liangmei Naga Council, said the villagers opposed the visit because their immediate priority was justice for the six civilians.
He said nearly three months had passed since the six men were allegedly abducted and killed, but the government had not responded to their demand for justice.
Wijunamai said the government should focus on identifying and taking action against those responsible for the killings instead of proceeding with what he described as a misplaced visit.
He warned that the JTC would intensify its agitation if the government failed to take concrete action.
The protest came at a sensitive juncture for Manipur, with the Chief Minister’s proposed outreach to Kuki civil society groups being viewed as a potentially significant step towards dialogue. At the same time, the demonstration highlighted anger among sections of the Naga and Meitei communities over the killings and the perceived delay in securing justice.
