Joint Tribe Council Manipur Refuses to Claim Bodies of Six Slain Nagas Until Demands Are Met

The Joint Tribe Council Manipur (JTCM) has refused to claim the bodies of six slain Naga victims until its demands placed before the government are met.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday at Classic Hotel in Imphal, JTCM Convener Merachao Inka declared that the council would not claim the bodies of the six slain Naga hostages until those allegedly involved in the abduction and killings are arrested, the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki National Front-Presidential (KNF-P) is terminated, and Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen resigns on moral grounds.

Merachao Inka claimed that following the May 13 abduction incident, 14 Naga and 14 Kuki captives were exchanged. After the exchange, the Nagas were holding 14 Kuki captives while the Kukis retained six Naga captives.

According to Inka, when the Nagas requested the release of the remaining six hostages, the Kuki groups stated that they had no knowledge of their whereabouts. The Nagas subsequently released the remaining 14 Kuki captives unharmed, expecting similar treatment in return.

However, the six Naga captives were later returned as decomposed bodies. Therefore, the council is not prepared to accept the bodies of the six victims, Inka said.

Inka accused members of the Leilon Vaiphei Women Society, including its chief, a Manipur Police personnel identified as Thanginlian, and KNF-P cadres of being involved in the abduction and murder. He further alleged that KNF-P cadres could not have carried out the killings without the orders of KNF-P president Thangboi Kipgen.

He demanded the arrest of all those allegedly involved, the declaration of KNF-P as a terrorist organisation, the abrogation of the SoO agreement with the outfit, and the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, who is the wife of KNF-P president Thangboi Kipgen, on moral grounds.

The JTCM convener also announced that Naga and Meitei civil society organisations (CSOs) have resolved to collectively identify themselves as "Yelhoumee Phurup" in pursuing the charter of demands.