DIMAPUR — The All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) has rejected the apology issued by leaders of Kuki-Zo Council over the killing of six Naga hostages, maintaining that no apology can be accepted unless those responsible for the abduction and killings are punished.

In a press release received here on Friday, the ANSAM described the statement as neither a genuine apology nor an admission of responsibility, but "a direct challenge and insult to the Naga people."

It stated that the apology failed to acknowledge what it described as the "unlawful and inhumane crime" committed by the KNF and residents of Lailon Vaiphei village on May 13.

The association maintained that "no apology can be deemed credible, sincere and acceptable" until those responsible for the abduction, torture, mutilation and killing of the six hostages are brought to justice.

"Justice cannot be supplanted by rhetoric, nor can accountability be substituted by carefully crafted declarations bereft of legal consequence," it stated.

The ANSAM also objected to the use of the term "Katcha Nagas" in the Kuki-Zo Council's statement, describing it as derogatory, historically untenable and offensive to the identity and dignity of the Naga people.

The association questioned whether the Kuki-Zo Council was issuing the apology on behalf of those directly involved in the killings or whether it bore responsibility for the incident.

It also sought clarification on whether the council had the mandate to speak on behalf of all communities grouped under the Kuki-Zo nomenclature.

Referring to the killing of three Thadou church leaders, the ANSAM reiterated that the Nagas had no involvement in the incident, stating that it occurred in an area where Nagas had neither access nor influence.

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