Deadlock in Senapati: Manipur CM and UNC talks end without breakthrough

IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday held talks with leaders of Naga civil society organisations, including the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body representing the Naga community in Manipur.

The meeting, held at the deputy commissioner's office in Senapati, about 60 km north of Imphal, primarily focused on the unresolved case involving the killing of six Liangmai Naga civilians and the ongoing economic blockade on National Highway-2 enforced by the UNC.

"We have had a fruitful and meaningful discussion. However, the talks were not conclusive," UNC President Ng Lorho told reporters after the hour-long meeting.

Referring to the six Liangmai Naga civilians whose bodies remain unclaimed, Lorho said that the UNC would not take custody of the bodies until its four-point charter of demands is fulfilled.

The six civilians were allegedly abducted on May 13 from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district. Their mortal remains were recovered during a search operation in the same district on June 10 and continue to remain at the JNIMS mortuary.

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"From our side, we have reiterated our four-point charter of demands. Until those demands are fulfilled, we are not in a position to claim or take the dead bodies," he said.

The UNC's demands include the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups; the arrest of all those allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of the six Naga civilians; the arrest of the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village; and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister.