United Naga Council sets conditions before receiving remains of six slain Naga hostages in Manipur.
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DIMAPUR — The United Naga Council (UNC) has submitted a charter of demands to Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam through the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati, seeking justice for six Naga men whose remains were recovered on June 10.
In a statement issued on Friday, the UNC said it would not receive the mortal remains of the six men until its demands were addressed and justice delivered to their families. Among its demands was the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki militant groups.
The council stated that after Naga village guards released 14 Kuki detainees on the evening of June 9, there had been an expectation among Naga people that the gesture would be reciprocated.
However, it said information received on June 10 indicated that the six Naga civilians who had been taken hostage on May 13 had been recovered as human remains.
According to the UNC, the six men were allegedly taken hostage by villagers from Leilon Vaiphei village along with cadres of the Kuki National Front-President Group (KNF-P). The council further alleged that the remains were recovered in a mutilated and dismembered condition.
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The UNC said the development had caused immense pain to the families of the victims and to the Naga community. It further stated that the incident had shaken public confidence in the government's ability to ensure the safety and security of civilians.
In its memorandum, the UNC demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all KNF-P personnel allegedly involved in the abduction of 18 Naga civilians, including two pastors, from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13 and the subsequent killing of six of them.
The council also sought the immediate arrest and prosecution of KNF-P personnel allegedly involved in the killing of Wilson Thanga Chiru at Joujangtek on the same day.
Another demand called for the arrest and prosecution of Lalboi Vaiphei, chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, along with other villagers, including women members, whom the council alleged were involved in the abduction and killing of the 18 civilians.
The UNC further demanded the arrest and prosecution of Thanggilian Vaiphei, identified in the statement as a serving Manipur Police personnel, alleging his involvement in the abduction and killing of Naga civilians.
The council also called for the Kuki National Front-President Group (KNF-P) to be declared a terrorist organisation.
In addition, the UNC demanded the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, stating in the memorandum that she is the wife of Semtinthang alias Thangboi Kipgen, president of the KNF-P. The council maintained that her continuation in office would compromise the integrity of internal security concerns.
The UNC stated that prompt and decisive action on its demands would help restore public trust and confidence in both the state and Union governments.