Manipur CM Appeals to UNC Leaders to Help Secure Release of 14 Kuki Civilians

The Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand, has appealed to the leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC) to help secure the release of 14 Kuki civilians who have reportedly been held captive since the beginning of the incident.

The Chief Minister made the appeal in response to the demand made by UNC leaders to the government to trace the six abducted Naga villagers from Konsakhul in Kangpokpi district.

The Chief Minister said that search and rescue operations have been launched since May 14 to trace the whereabouts of the six Naga villagers.

A six-member delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC) met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and his cabinet colleagues on Saturday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

The UNC team comprised NG Lorho, President of UNC; N. Poujan Golmei, Vice President; L. Adani Mao; Samson Remmei; KS Paul Leo, former President of UNC; and AC Thotso, Member Secretary of the Working Committee, UNC.

The government was represented by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, and Naga MLAs.

Khemchand told the leaders of the United Naga Council that the case of the six abducted Nagas would be handed over to the NIA, and that the killing of three church leaders on May 13 in Kangpokpi district had also been handed over to the NIA.

The Chief Minister urged all communities to extend support to the government in normalising the situation and restoring peace in the state. He also appealed to the Kuki community to help trace the six Naga villagers.