Naga Scholars Association condemns the continuing violence against Naga civilians and villages in Manipur.
DIMAPUR — The Naga Scholars' Association (NSA) has condemned the continuing violence against Naga civilians and villages in Manipur, stating that the killings, burning of homes and churches, and forcible displacement of families constitute an assault on life, human dignity, and security.
In a statement, the association asserted that no political cause can justify such violence and that it has no place in any genuine pursuit of peace.
The association highlighted that on August 27, four Liangmai Naga civilians, Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, Mariakdibou Wijunamai, Anil Wijunamai, and Wisobou Charenamai, were killed in an ambush along the Makui Ashang-Thanamba Naga stretch of the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road.
On September 21, 17-year-old NK Wiphenbou, a Liangmai Naga, was killed in an ambush while travelling towards Tamei in Tamenglong district. The NSA stated that these incidents form part of a continuing pattern of violence, including killings, abductions, and arson, that has exposed Naga civilians and settlements to insecurity.
The destruction in the Makui area on September 23 and 24 was highlighted as particularly alarming. At least 41 Naga houses, including churches, were burnt in Makui Chamriupui, Makui Thanamba, and Makui Thebram, forcing residents to flee.
Also read: Senapati firing death toll rises to three
Nagaland DGP warns against ‘communitisation’ of crime in Northeast
The prolonged nature of the violence, despite the reported presence of security forces in the vicinity, raises questions regarding the adequacy of existing arrangements for civilian protection, the association stated.
The killing of four Tangkhul Naga civilians at Pilong, Kamjong, on September 24, identified as Phami Jajo, Vareshim Jajo, Betterson Jajo, and Ningthem, was noted as the latest tragedy in an extended pattern of unrest.
The NSA recalled that the present violence occurs against the backdrop of earlier attacks on Naga civilians, including the abduction of six Naga civilians in May whose remains were recovered weeks later and the killing of two Naga civilians in an ambush at TM-Kasom village in Ukhrul on April 18.
The recent killings, attacks, and destruction cannot be viewed as isolated incidents but as part of a continuing pattern where civilians are exposed to killing, abduction, displacement, and destruction of communities, the release said.
The association pointed out that the recurrence of killings, abductions, attacks, and destruction over several months cannot be addressed through condolences and assurances alone. It urged authorities to identify, investigate, and bring perpetrators to justice, while ensuring affected civilians and villages receive effective protection and rehabilitation.
The NSA called upon the state government and central government to fulfil their foremost responsibility of protecting civilian life, stating that peace cannot be built upon impunity or reduced to the absence of open confrontation between armed groups while civilians bear the consequences.
Reaffirming its solidarity with bereaved families and affected communities, the NSA urged authorities to ensure these deaths and the destruction do not remain unaddressed.