Eleven youth organisations demand justice over the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur, calling for arrests and accountability.
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DIMAPUR — Outrage over the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur united 11 tribal youth organisations and student bodies in Dimapur on Sunday, with the groups demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible and declaring that the incident is an attack on the entire Naga community rather than a single tribe.
The organisations came together at a joint consultative meeting convened by the Zeliang Youth Organisation Dimapur (ZYOD) and the Zeliang Youth Organisation Chümoukedima at the Zeliang Community Welfare Building, Eros Lane.
Representatives of 11 organisations attended the meeting, including the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO), Dimapur Lotha Youth Organisation (DLYO), Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students' Union (DENSU), Rongmei Youth Club Dimapur, Dimapur Rengma Youth Organisation, Tenyimi Youth Organisation Dimapur, Western Chakhesang Youth Organisation, Western Naga Youth Front, Chakro Angami Kuda Youth Organisation (CAKYO), Zeliang Youth Organisation Dimapur and Zeliang Youth Organisation Chümoukedima.
Addressing the media after the meeting, ZYOD general secretary Rampau Haining said that the organisations were deeply shocked not only by the killing of the six victims but also by the reported mutilation and dismemberment of their bodies, describing the incident as a heinous crime that had shaken Nagas across the region.
He said that they had gathered to send a united message that Naga people stand together in demanding justice for the victims and their bereaved families.
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He called upon law enforcement agencies to swiftly identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the crime.
Haining informed that the meeting had also resolved to submit a joint representation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio through the deputy commissioner of Dimapur at 12 noon on June 15.
Recalling the recent hostage crisis in Manipur, he said that Chief Minister Rio had intervened as a mediator and appealed for the safe release of the hostages, alongside appeals made by various church organisations, following which the 14 Kuki hostages were released by Naga groups.
He added that within 24 hours of their release, the bodies of the six Naga civilians were recovered in a severely mutilated condition.
Haining maintained that justice for the six victims should not be limited to financial compensation but must include the arrest and punishment of those responsible in accordance with the law.
Reiterating the outcome of the consultative meeting, he said that the participation of 11 tribal youth organisations and student bodies reflected the unity of the Naga community across regions.
"Our message is loud, clear and united. Nagas are not confined to Nagaland alone. Our brothers and sisters in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar have always stood together during difficult times.
“Today, the Naga youth stand united and send a clear message to the perpetrators not to test their patience further. This is the time for unity beyond tribal lines and state boundaries," he said.
ZYOD president Idizeung Reunim questioned why such brutality had been inflicted upon unarmed civilians and described the killings as inhuman and beyond comprehension.
He maintained that the incident should not be viewed merely as a Zeliangrong issue but as one affecting the entire Naga community, irrespective of state boundaries.
He urged Nagas living in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere to remain united and not allow tribal or political differences to weaken their collective response.
Reunim also questioned the role of the authorities, including the Manipur government and security agencies, asking why adequate protection was not provided despite the apparent movement of armed groups in the area.
He further demanded transparency and accountability regarding the incident and questioned who was responsible for the killings and under whose authority they had acted.
Appealing to the public, Reunim urged people to view the issue from a humanitarian perspective rather than through political or tribal lenses.
He added that leaders entrusted with public responsibility must ensure peace, security and justice for the Naga people.
While strongly condemning the killings, he said that the Naga community was not calling for civilians from the Kuki community to be targeted, but asserted that the community knew how to protect itself.
He added that the youth would not remain silent and would continue to speak out and act.