Zeliangrong Youth Front urges Manipur government to free six Naga detainees and secure NH-37 travel.
Share
DIMAPUR — The Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) has urged Manipur government to secure the immediate release of six “illegally detained” Naga persons and provide regular security escorts for passengers travelling along NH-37, citing growing insecurity following a series of abductions in Kangpokpi district.
In a representation submitted to the chief minister and the home minister of Manipur, the organisation alleged that 18 Naga persons from Konsaram Naga village were abducted and illegally detained at Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village near Leimakhong on May 13.
It also stated that two Catholic brothers were abducted from Sapormeina under Kangpokpi district.
According to the ZYF, 14 of the 20 abducted persons were released on May 15, while six persons from Konsaram village remained in illegal detention till the filing of the representation.
The organisation claimed that the abduction of the Naga villagers came close in the heels of statements issued by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) in connection with a recent incident between two Kuki villages—Kotlen and Kotzim—in which three church leaders were killed.
Also read: Shutdowns paralyse parts of Manipur after twin attacks in Kangpokpi and Noney districts
28 hostages released safely in Manipur
The ZYF claimed that accusations were directed at the Naga community despite the incident having occurred within Kuki-inhabited areas and described the killings as a “premeditated targeted ambush”.
Recalling past violence along NH-37, the organisation stated that the failure of Manipur government to provide adequate security escorts during the 1992-1996 Kuki-Naga ethnic clashes had resulted in the deaths of over 40 people, including passengers travelling between Imphal and Noney.
The representation specifically referred to the October 19, 1994 incident in which a passenger bus travelling from Imphal to Noney was allegedly pushed into a deep gorge by Kuki underground cadres on the then NH-53.
The ZYF urged the government to deploy adequate security personnel and escort teams for passenger vehicles travelling between Imphal and Tupul to ensure the safety of commuters heading to Tamenglong, Nungba, Noney, Khoupum, Tamei and Tousem.
It further warned that any untoward incident arising from failure to provide security would be the “entire responsibility of the government of the day.”