Nine Manipur Naga MLAs urge Amit Shah to arrest Kuki-Zo militant leaders and scrap SoO agreement following recent Naga killings
DIMAPUR — Nine Naga legislators of Manipur Assembly, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, have appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for immediate action against Kuki-Zo militant leaders, including the arrest of those they allege were involved in the killing and dismemberment of six Naga men, and demanded abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups.
In a letter addressed to Shah, the legislators said the situation in Manipur had reached a “critical and volatile stage” and warned that failure to take “unbiased, decisive and bold action” could push the state into an uncontrollable situation.
The appeal comes days after four Naga men were killed in an ambush on the IT Road in Kangpokpi district on August 27. The legislators linked the latest killings to what they described as a series of attacks on Naga civilians and villages, alleging that no justice had been delivered in earlier cases.
They cited the April 18 killing of two persons in an ambush at TM Kasom along NH-202 and the August 14 attack on Langka, a Naga village, where two farmers were allegedly killed after the village was burnt.
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The legislators urged the Union home minister to order the immediate arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders whom they alleged had publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of the six Naga men.
They specifically sought the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen of the Kuki National Front (KNF-P), alleging that cadres of the group led by a self-styled “Gen Tiger” Kipgen were responsible for the killings.
The legislators also demanded action against Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging that her office was “colluding” with the Kuki militant group led by her husband, Thangboi Kipgen.
They further called for the immediate abrogation of the SoO agreement with all Kuki militant groups, citing what they described as repeated violations and acts of terror against civilians.
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They stated that mutilated bodies of the six Naga men remained unclaimed amid protests over the alleged failure to arrest the perpetrators, while the August 27 killings had added to public anger and concern.
The legislators warned that unless the requested measures were initiated, they would be unable to “defend or adequately respond” to questions from the public over their continued support to the Manipur government.
They added that the appeal was being made in the larger interest of the people of Manipur and “out of absolute necessity”, while expressing confidence in Shah’s leadership to restore peace and normalcy in the State.
The signatories include Losii Dikho, Deputy Chief Minister; Awangbow Newmai, MLA from Tamei; J Kumo Sha, MLA from Karong; Dinganglung Gangmei, MLA from Nungba; Khasim Vashum, MLA from Chingai; Leishiyo Keishing, MLA from Phungyar; Janghemlung Panmei, MLA from Tamenlong; Ram Muivah, MLA from Ukhrul; and SS Olish, MLA from Chandel.