Call for justice rings loud at sit-in protest Bludgeoned bodies of Naga men continue to haunt

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 13: Another sit-in-protest held today at Tribal Market, New Checkon, Imphal East called for justice, transparency and accountability in the investigation of the killing of six Liangmai Nagas.
The protest was organised by the Justice for the Six Sons of Koubru Joint Committee (J6SKUC), under the aegis of the Joint Tribes Council (JTC), in the wake of the first arrests made in connection with the abduction and brutal killing of the six Liangmai Naga civilians.
While the committee acknowledged that the arrests represent something in the investigation, it expressed serious reservations regarding their timing, noting that they came more than forty days after the complaint was submitted and nearly two months after the incident.
It emphasised that public confidence in the administration of justice depends not only on arrests but also on a timely, impartial, and transparent investigation.
The programme was attended by civil society leaders, women's organisations, and local residents including Sanjoy AMUCO president Soroikhaibam, Rongmei Naga Luphwam Manipur president and convenor, J6SKUC Chingdinliu Panmei, Naorem Mahendro of Native Peoples' Committee Manipur,  Malini Huidrom of New Checkon Bazar Nongpok Ingkhol Meira Paibi, Tangkhul Shanaolong Mission Lane, New Checkon secretary Awon Keishing, Sanjent-hong Meira Paibi president Laishram Damini and Khundrakpam Ibemcha of New Checkon Meira Paibi.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers expressed concern that the recent arrests, although it marked progress in the investigation, have not addressed the allegations against numerous individuals identified in the original complaint.
They stated that this has reinforced a widespread perception among supporters of the movement that the investigation may be focusing on a limited number of suspects while leaving unanswered questions regarding the principal accused and other individuals named by the complainants.
They urged the investigating agencies to dispel these concerns by conducting a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation, providing periodic public updates on its progress, and ensuring that every person against whom credible evidence exists is investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The speakers further observed that the original complaint identified 33 individuals, including alleged principal accused, village chiefs, and other alleged participants.
They noted that the recent arrests have naturally generated questions regarding the status of the investigation against the remaining individuals identified by the complainants.
The protesters reiterated the committee's five demands–– immediate arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators, including all those against whom credible evidence exists; abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and an end to the proxy war; declaration of the Kuki National Front (KNF-P) as a terrorist organisation; immediate removal of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, and immediate eviction of all illegal villages established in violation of the law.
Meanwhile, the Justice for the Six Sons of Koubru Joint Committee has affirmed that their campaign will continue until the investigation is pursued comprehensively, every credible allegation is examined without fear or favour, and all those found responsible through due process are brought to justice.