The United Naga Council has sought a terrorist designation for Kuki National Front-President and imposed a 24-hour shutdown after six abducted Naga civilians were found dead.
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KOHIMA — The United Naga Council (UNC) has demanded that the government of India and the Manipur government immediately arrest members of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians and declare the outfit a "terrorist organisation."
The demands were prompted by the recovery of the bodies of six Naga men on Wednesday. The victims had been among 18 Naga civilians allegedly abducted on May 13.
The UNC also imposed a 24-hour total shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas from 6 am on June 11 to 6 am on June 12 and announced that the mortal remains of the six victims would not be received until its demands are addressed by the governments of India and Manipur.
In a statement, the council said that the Naga community's hopes following the release of 14 Kuki detainees were shattered by the recovery of the six bodies, which were found in a mutilated and dismembered condition.
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Condemning the killings in the strongest terms, the UNC described the incident as a gross violation of human rights and human dignity and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
Charter of demands
UNC president Ng Lorho confirmed that the bodies are being kept at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) morgue in Imphal. He asserted that the bodies would not be received until justice is delivered and the council's demands are addressed by the authorities.
The UNC's demands include: abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki militant groups; immediate arrest and prosecution of all KNF(P) members allegedly involved in the abduction of 18 Naga civilians on May 13 and the subsequent killing of six of them, and the killing of Wilson Thanga Chiru at Joujangtek on the same day; immediate arrest and prosecution of Lalboi Vaiphei, chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, along with others allegedly involved in the abduction; declaration of the KNF(P) as a terrorist organisation; and removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from office, citing her marital relationship with KNF(P) president Semtinthang (Thangboi) Kipgen.
"We are waiting for the government's response before deciding our next course of action," Ng Lorho told this newspaper. The UNC appealed to the public to observe the shutdown peacefully and remain united until justice is served.
False allegations
Meanwhile, the UNC issued a clarification rejecting allegations circulating on social media regarding the release of 14 Kuki detainees.
The council described claims that the release was secured through bribery or compromise as false and defamatory and alleged that such rumours were intended to malign the organisation, create distrust among the Naga people and incite communal tension.
The UNC maintained that it neither detained nor released any individual, stating that it is a civil society organisation without police or judicial authority. It also asserted that the council has pursued the rights and interests of the Naga people through democratic and non-violent means and does not function for monetary or personal gain.
Warning that legal action would be initiated against those deliberately spreading misinformation, the council appealed to all Naga tribes, churches and civil society organisations to remain united and vigilant.
"Our strength lies in our collective stand. No amount of character assassination will deter the council from its mandated responsibilities," the statement read, while urging the public to rely only on official UNC statements for authentic information.