Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Lucy Dekho on Sunday claimed that a secret group under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement was responsible for the kidnapping and killing of six Naga civilians, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure strict action against those involved.
Dekho said the killing of six Naga civilians was a “shocking and unacceptable act that has deeply disturbed the people of Manipur”.
A group of women belonging to the Kuki community allegedly kidnapped the six Nagas in Lilon Fife, a Kuki village in Kangbukpi District on May 13, after a double ambush carried out by unidentified armed individuals at two different locations in Nonni and Kangbukpi Districts. The double ambush left four people dead, including a Naga man and three church leaders.
Dekho strongly condemned the recovery of the mutilated bodies of six Nagas, saying: “Such acts, including killing people and mutilating their bodies, cannot be tolerated.”
Without naming any specific underground group, he said the officials belonged to a group covered by the SoO arrangements. He appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure control over the armed groups operating under the agreement.
“I want to appeal to the Prime Minister that the people under SoO must be controlled and the situation brought under control. We love peace and want to continue to live in peace,” Dekho said.
He added that the incident highlighted the urgent need to take stronger measures to restore law and order in the state, which is witnessing violence and facing ethnic tensions and security challenges.
He also called for an end to religious discrimination and persecution, stressing the importance of preserving India’s secular character.
The incident has created panic among Naga communities, with several civil society organizations demanding immediate arrest of those responsible and stronger action against armed groups operating under the SoO.
Prime Minister Yomnam Khemchand Singh said: “Regarding the request to remove Nimcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Prime Minister, this is normal during a period of public distress.”
“The law is above all of us. The case related to the killing of the six Naga men has been referred to the National Investigation Agency. Anyone found involved, be it an officer or a minister, will face punishment under the law,” the CM said.
On the issue of the SoO agreement, the Prime Minister said lasting peace would remain difficult unless illegal weapons were handed over.
He said: “Unless weapons are disarmed, peace cannot be fully restored. Several rounds of discussions are underway with the security agencies regarding disarmament.”
Kemchand also announced that an additional CoBRA battalion would be deployed to enhance security operations, noting that the state police alone faced challenges in covering the entire state during counter-insurgency operations.
State Home Minister Govindas Kunthugam said the authorities have identified all six victims and are studying the demands raised by the Naga bodies before handing over the bodies to their families.
“We have already identified the six bodies. There are certain demands from major Naga organizations that are being considered by the government. Until these issues are addressed, it may take some time for the bodies to be handed over to their families,” Kunthugam said.
Regarding calls to scrap the SoO, the Home Minister said the arrangement was jointly signed by the Center and the state government and discussions on the matter are ongoing with the Union government.
The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice in the case while enhancing security measures amid ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in Manipur.
