Remove Nemcha as Dy CM call raised

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 22: A memorandum submitted to the Governor today has demanded removal of Nemcha Kipgen from her post as Deputy Chief Minister and combing operations at several Kuki villages to secure six Naga men taken hostage on May 13.
The memorandum which listed several resolutions taken during a public demonstration held at Kanglatongbi was submitted in the afternoon.
A number of civil society organisations took part in the public demonstration.
The memorandum urged the Governor for his intervention to secure the safe release of six Naga men taken hostage on May 13.
A total of 18 civilians including a minor girl were abducted and taken hostage at Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13. While 12 of them were released days later, the remaining six, all men, have not been released till today.
Nemcha Kipgen, who is the wife of a Kuki militant leader, must be removed from the office of the Deputy Chief Minister, said the memorandum submitted to the Governor.
Further, the KNF(P) militant group must be excluded from the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, and military combing operations must be initiated at Leilon Vaiphei, Kharam Vaiphei and surrounding areas, said another resolution.
The memorandum demanded immediate safe release of the six Naga hostages, and cautioned that the Government must bear the responsibility for any eventuality that may arise if the persons are not released or rescued safely.
It further demanded legal action against Leilon Vaiphei village chief and all involved in the abduction of Naga civilians.
The protest demonstration at Kanglatongbi, organised by the Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief/Chairman Association (ELNCCA), LNC-Eastern Zone, Koubru Range Liangmai Women's Union, LNKR-Eastern Zone and civil society organisations, was participated by members of different communities including Meitei, Tangkhul, Liangmai and Nepali etc.
Koubru Range Liangmai Women's Union co-convenor Khiugaliu Marenmai said the Naga civilians were detained and handed over to militants by locals including women of Leilon Vaiphei.
Alleging the involvement of Leilon Vaiphei chief, Khiugaliu said, arresting and interrogating the chief would reveal the status and whereabouts of the six remaining hostages.
She also denounced the Government's failure to rescue the six hostages despite clear evidence of alleged involvement of the Leilon Vaiphei villagers and their chief in the abduction.
Speaking at the demonstration, social activist Ashang Kasar denounced Government's apathy, and said the leaders of the Government have so far not visited the families of the six hostages.
"The civilians were abducted by the locals ofthe Leilon Vaiphei village. Even after an FIR has been registered, no actions have been taken against those involved in the incident," he said.
He said Kuki militants are operating in Manipur with impunity.
AMUCO advisor Phurailatparn Deban said there is an apprehension among the people that the Kuki militants are being supported by the Government of India in the current conflict.
He said the aggression against indigenous communities has been launched by SoO and non-SoO Kuki militants with the objective to undermine and break Manipur's integrity.
On the hostage crisis, he said, Central security forces launched rescue operations very late and days after civilians were taken hostage on May 13. So far, the security forces and the Government have failed to rescue or secure the safe release of the remaining six Naga hostages, he added.
To face and defeat the narco-terrorists, indigenous communities must unite as one, Deban said.
Criticising Government's failure to act against narco-terrorists and rescue hostages, COCOMI spokesperson Shanta Nahakpam said the Government isn't worthy of the public trust.
He alleged that the narco-terrorists' aggression is a "proxy war" against indigenous communities.
Members of Thawai Meerel, Poirei Leimarol Apunba Meira Paibi and Makhan Kanglatongbi Naga Forum and many organisations took part in the demonstration.