Meiteis, Tangkhuls, Kabuis, Liangmais, Meitei Pangals join hands in show of solidarity Rally demands arrest of KNF(P) Chairman

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 25: A large number of people belonging to Meitei, Tangkhul, Kabui, Liangmai and Meitei Pangal communities today took out a protest rally demanding immediate release of the six Naga civilians abducted from Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on May 13, 2026.
The rally also demanded removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister and arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, Chairman of Kuki National Front (P) who is the husband of Nemcha Kipgen.
The rally started from Tribal Market, New Checkon and it headed toward the Chief Minister’s bungalow.
As the protesters marched toward the Chief Minister’s bungalow, a large number of security forces including State police and Central forces blocked their way at Konung Mamang.
Nonetheless, the security forces allowed eight protesters to proceed and meet the Chief Minister.
The protesters carried placards which read “Long Live Manipur”, “Nemcha Kipgen down, down”, “Arrest Leilon Vaiphei chief” , “Stop dreaming Kukiland”, “Kuki Inpi liar, liar”, “How can a militant’s wife become a Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur?” etc.
While the eight representatives went ahead to meet the Chief Minister, the protesters stayed back at Konung Mamang traffic point and shouted many slogans.
They chanted “Long live Manipur”, “Chief of Leilon Vaiphei village must be arrested”, “Release the six Naga civilians”, “Arrest Nemcha Kipgen’s husband Thangboi Haokip” and “Abrogate SoO agreement”.
After their meeting with the Chief Minister, Naga People’s Union Imphal (NPUI) president N Maranmei told media persons that 18 people of Konsakhul were abducted by the people of Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
Out of them, 12 women were released on May 15 but six civilians including two Pastors are still held captive.
The chief and villagers of Leilon Vaiphei involved in abducting the people of Konsakhul, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, her husband Thangboi Kipgen must be arrested at the earliest. They are all terrorists, M Maranmei said.
Pointing out that Kuki terrorists have been killing and torturing a number of innocent civilians, the protesters who met the Chief Minister urged the latter to  abrogate SoO agreement and disarm all SoO cadres, and drive out all illegal immigrants from Manipur.
Khemchand told them that some persons involved in abducting and holding six Naga civilians captive have been pulled up, necessary action will be initiated against Leilon Vaiphei village and all involved in the abduction and keeping the civilians hostage will be apprehended, according to the NPUI president.
During the meeting which went on for almost one hour, Khemchand told the representatives that the Government has received certain information regarding the abduction.
On the demand for abrogation of SoO agreement, the Chief Minister stated that it should follow due process of law.
Regarding removal of Nemcha Kipgen from the post of Deputy Chief Minister, Khemchand said that he would talk with Nemcha Kipgen over phone.
With regard to the demand for arresting Nemcha Kipgen’s husband, the Chief Minister told the protesters that whatever action permissible under law will be initiated.
But most of the protesters were not happy with the Chief Minister’s response.
Konsakhul village chief Adam Liangmai who took part in the protest rally asserted that the six abducted     men can be located easily if security forces surround Leilon Vaiphei village and carry out an intensive search operation.
He questioned the Government’s failure to carry out any intensive operation to trace the abducted men till date.
He asked why the Government is not taking any concrete steps to rescue the hostages.
“It’s time for all indigenous people to wake up. We must understand the plot being hatched by outsiders. No force can defeat the indigenous people of Manipur if we are united. We must protect our land”, Adam Liangmai said.
If the Government is determined to bring peace and stability, it must bring justice to all the acts of violence and killings, he said.
Social activist Julia Shinglai remarked that the coming together of indigenous communities in front of the statue of Thangal General, the hero of Manipur, will be a landmark in the history of Manipur.
Even though the Chief Minister gave several assurances today, the protest and agitation must go on until the six abducted civilians are freed, she said.
Sources said that Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and MLA Awangbow Newmai were also present at the meeting between the Chief Minister and NPUI representatives. The protest rally was participated by members of several CSOs including AMUCO, COCOMI and Uripok Apunba Lup.