Candlelight vigils demand justice for six Naga victims

Our Correspondents
Spt/Jbm, June 19: Candlelight vigils were held at Tadubi and Jiribam on Friday to honour the memory of six Naga men, including a reverend and a pastor, with participants expressing grief, solidarity with the bereaved families and demanding justice.
The Mao Students’ Union (MSU) organised a solemn candlelight vigil at Tadubi in memory of six Naga men from Konsakhul village, whose deaths have deeply saddened the Naga community.
The programme was attended by leaders of the Mao Council, Mao Naga Women Welfare Association, Church leaders, civil society organisations, students and members of the public. The gathering paid tribute to the departed souls and reaffirmed collective support for the affected families.
Addressing the gathering, MSU president Shuli Chakre said the vigil was not merely a remembrance programme but an opportunity to reflect on the pain, grief and truth surrounding the tragic loss of six innocent lives. He stated that the incident was not only a tragedy for the families concerned but a wound felt by the entire Naga community.
President of the Mao Council, N Athikho Joseph, in his solidarity message, condemned the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He called upon the people to stand together in upholding justice, peace, human dignity and compassion.
Meanwhile, the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Barak Zone also organised a candlelight vigil in front of Jiribam Ima Keithel in memory of the six Naga men who were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village and later brutally murdered.
Members from both Naga and Meitei communities, along with leaders of various civil society organisations including Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur, Jiri Luangrian, AJUCA, JIMPAL, AJMP, COCOMI Jiribam Branch, JDO and AMAWOVA Jiribam Branch, participated in the vigil.
The gathering observed a two-minute silence in honour of the departed souls and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.