Naga organisations and NSCN (IM) condemn the killing of six Naga individuals in Manipur and seek accountability.
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DIMAPUR — Various Naga organisations, political parties and the NSCN (IM) have strongly condemned the recent abduction and killing of six Naga individuals in Manipur, describing the incident as barbaric and demanding urgent justice and accountability.
GNF: The Global Naga Forum (GNF) asserted that the brutality inflicted upon the six innocent civilians must not be concealed or diminished through "vague language."
The forum described the incident as "not combat, but the butchery of the defenseless," alleging that the victims were taken hostage, killed while in captivity, and their bodies mutilated.
It held responsible the Kuki armed groups involved, including those operating under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with the Government of India.
The GNF further stated that such acts constitute war crimes under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and Article 8 (2) (c) of the Rome Statute, and pledged to pursue accountability.
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Contrasting the incident with the release of 14 Kuki detainees by the Naga side a day before the bodies were recovered, the forum said the distinction "must be noted by the world."
The forum demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, public disclosure of post-mortem findings to the victims' families, and an independent, time-bound inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the delayed rescue efforts.
"The six of Kangpokpi will be buried by their people. Their killers will be pursued by their nation," it added.
NSCN (IM): The NSCN (IM) termed the "barbaric killing and grotesque mutilation of victims by Kuki terrorist gangs and frontal Kuki village volunteers" as blatant crimes against humanity and a savage violation of human dignity.
"The deliberate desecration of human bodies serves no purpose other than to spread terror, weaponise fear, and inflict deep psychological trauma on grieving families and communities," it stated.
The NSCN (IM) demanded that the Government of India immediately outlaw these groups and formally designate them as terrorist organisations.
"Groups committing such depraved acts must be stripped of all political legitimacy. Failure to crush these organisations will only embolden further atrocities and destroy any chance for justice and peace," it maintained.
"The NSCN/GPRN will leave no stone unturned until those responsible for this savage act are brought to justice," it added.
ENSA: The Eastern Naga Students' Association (ENSA) described the incident as a "barbaric and inhumane act" and a grave violation of human rights, as well as an assault on the dignity, security and existence of the Naga people.
"At this critical moment, ENSA appeals to all Nagas beyond artificial boundaries to stand united in solidarity with the bereaved families and our people in the southern regions. Our shared identity, history, and aspirations must remain stronger than any divisions imposed upon us," the association said.
NSA: The Naga Scholars' Association (NSA) termed the "heinous and barbaric murder of six innocent Naga men" as an appalling descent into savagery and a shocking affront to human dignity.
"The cold-blooded abduction, torture, and brutal killing of these innocent men is a crime of exceptional cruelty. The subsequent mutilation and dismemberment of their bodies reveal a level of inhumanity, moral degeneration, and depravity that is difficult to comprehend.
"Such acts are not merely criminal; they constitute an extreme violation of the sanctity of human life and an assault upon the most basic values that distinguish humanity from barbarism," the NSA stated.
NCCI: The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) stated that despite numerous appeals by church bodies, organisations, and concerned individuals for their safe release, the tragic and inhumane act has brought immense pain and grief to the bereaved families, the Christian community, and all peace-loving people across the country.
"NCCI strongly condemns this senseless act of violence, which constitutes a grave violation of human rights, human dignity, justice, and peace. Such a heinous crime has no place in any civilised society, particularly in a predominantly Christian region where the values of compassion, respect for life, and reconciliation are urgently needed," the council stated.
NPF Manipur: The Naga People's Front (NPF), Manipur State unit, stated that the "diabolical cold-blooded murder" bereft of morality and ethics only exposes the depravity and criminality of the perpetrators.
"Mindless violence targeted to destabilise the peaceful co-existence of communities has no place in a civilised society. We firmly believed that violence will not bring solution nor defeat the collective will of the people to live together in peace, dignity and harmony," the party stated.
FNBA: The Fellowship of Naga Baptist Associations (FNBA) said the reported mutilation of the victims' bodies further exposes the extreme cruelty and depravity of the perpetrators and demonstrates a complete disregard for human dignity, even in death.
"No political objective, grievance, or ideological cause can ever justify the abduction, torture, mutilation, or murder of innocent human beings," it stated.
Urging the Government of India to treat the matter with the utmost seriousness, the FNBA added that those responsible for planning, executing, supporting, or facilitating these acts of terror must be held fully accountable.
NTHCC: The Nagaland Tribal Hohos Coordination Committee (NTHCC) stated that the manner in which innocent lives were taken reflects a level of cruelty that is beyond comprehension and stands as one of the "most gruesome and satanic acts witnessed in recent times."
"This brutal crime is not only an attack on the victims and their families but a direct assault on the dignity, security, and collective existence of the Naga people," it stated.
NZPO: The Nagaland Zeliang People Organisation (NZPO) appealed to law enforcement agencies to immediately book those involved in the killing of the six Naga villagers, take stringent measures as provided under the law without delay, and ensure justice.
NPYF Nagaland backs Manipur candlelight vigil
The National People's Youth Front (NPYF), Nagaland State, has expressed unwavering solidarity with the people of Manipur and extended its support to the symbolic blackout and candlelight observance called by NPYF Manipur in remembrance of the victims of recent violence.
In a statement, the organisation said the brutal killings and loss of innocent lives had left families devastated and communities in deep mourning.
It described the suffering of the victims' families as a collective wound on the conscience of the region and the nation.
NPYF Nagaland also called for a thorough, impartial and time-bound investigation into the incidents and urged the state and Union governments, along with all concerned agencies, to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.