All nine Naga MLAs in the Manipur Assembly abstained from the session in protest against the alleged killing of six Naga civilians and demanded justice.
IMPHAL — All nine Naga legislators in the Manipur Legislative Assembly abstained from the last day of the three-day Assembly session on Monday in protest against the alleged abduction and subsequent killing of six Naga civilians in May, and demanded justice for the victims.
Speaking at a press briefing here on Monday, Naga People’s Front MLA Awangbow Newmai said the decision to abstain from the session was taken in protest against the alleged failure to ensure justice in the Leilon Vaiphei case, in which six Naga civilians were allegedly abducted and killed.
Awangbow, a former Water Resources minister, said the Naga legislators decided not to attend the session as they did not want to sit with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, whose husband, he alleged, is the prime accused in the case.
Awangbow, who represents the Tamei constituency in Tamenglong district, further alleged that there was evidence indicating the involvement of Kipgen’s husband, who he identified as the leader of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), a militant group.
He also claimed that the initiative led by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, under which Naga legislators visited different communities to appeal for an end to violence and promote peace in the state, had become meaningless in view of the alleged failure to ensure justice in the case.
On behalf of the Naga legislators, Awangbow demanded that Nemcha Kipgen step down until the investigation into the alleged involvement of her husband is completed, or that she be removed from her position.
Later, sharing a video and photographs of the press briefing on social media, Awangbow wrote: “Naga MLAs of Manipur have decided to abstain from today’s house session in protest against the killing of innocent Naga civilians by KNF-P.”
All nine Naga MLAs—Awangbow Newmai, Losii Dikho, J Kumo Sha, Janghemlung Pamei, Dinganglung Gangmei, SS Olish, Ram Muivah, Khashim Vashum and Leishiyo Keishing—were present at the press briefing.
The nine are the remaining Naga legislators in the 60-member Assembly. There were previously 10 Naga MLAs, before the term of Tadubi Assembly Constituency legislator N Kayisii ended last year.
It may be recalled that six Liangmai Naga civilians were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their mortal remains were recovered during a massive search operation in the district on June 10.
The bodies have since remained at the JNIMS mortuary at Porompat in Imphal East district. The killings have sparked widespread outrage in the state and drawn condemnation from civil society organisations and political leaders.