The bodies of six individuals, suspected to be of missing Naga men abducted by Kuki militants, have been recovered by Manipur police and it has shaken public conscience.
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The events unfolding in Manipur, marked by the brutal killing of unsuspecting, innocent civilians by armed militants, constitute a war crime. This demands global attention, condemnation, and action. In yet another disturbing case, the bodies of six individuals, suspected to be the missing Naga men abducted by Kuki militants at Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on 13 May, were recovered on Wednesday following an extensive search operation. The perpetrators' brutality and disrespect for human life have shaken the public conscience. The worst fears appear to have been realised, shattering the hopes of the victims' families for the safe return of their sons, husbands, and fathers. Public emotions are running high as people mourn the killing of their compatriots. The outpouring of public anger is understandable. Now, to de-escalate the volatile situation, it is crucial for the government to ensure that law enforcement agencies probe the matter on a war footing, arrest the perpetrators, and deliver prompt justice to the victims. The Kuki community, on its part, should take responsibility, denounce violence, and cooperate in the investigation process. This is necessary to uphold justice, prevent potential bloodshed, and pave the way for restoring peace in the region.
The United Naga Council (UNC), on the other hand, has demonstrated compassion and humanity during the darkest hours of conflict by facilitating the safe release of 14 Kuki hostages on Tuesday, risking public disparagement and backlash. It was an extremely difficult decision because of conflicting views—whether or not to release the hostages; to seek revenge or forgiveness; to choose bloodshed or peace—that have emerged among the Naga public. It could have gone either way, but the UNC chose to take the moral high ground, a reflection of a strong moral compass. And it is the right thing to do. Why? Because civilians, be they Nagas or Kukis, are most likely to be innocent. Retaliating with wrongful acts does not elevate one's own moral standing. Under international law too, taking the lives of unarmed civilians in captivity during conflict constitutes a war crime and a grave violation of basic human rights. However, it will be grossly wrong if an act of compassion is mistaken for weakness. The way forward is to genuinely pursue the path of healing and peace. The warring communities should be true to themselves, uphold human dignity, respect life, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions that form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. What has been witnessed in Manipur since the ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo communities erupted on May 3, 2023, and now the clash between the Nagas and the Kukis, is a display of utter disregard for human dignity and rights, exposing barbarism in its highest form. However, barbarism must end. Today, the Nagas have chosen the path of humanity in the face of tragedy. Now, the Kuki community should reciprocate this goodwill gesture by choosing peace and reconciliation. Failure to do so could derail the ongoing peace efforts and subsequently lead to catastrophic consequences for both sides.