2 more suspects in massacre of 6 Naga men held
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 18: Security forces today arrested two more persons allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of six Naga civilians.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei son of Paothenkam Vaiphei of Leilon Vaiphei village, Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district, and Lunminthang Sitlhou alias Jack, son of Paolen Sitlhou of Molnoi village, Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district.
Police sources said the duo was apprehended by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
With these latest arrests, four persons have been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Police said efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
On July 10, security forces had arrested a couple residing at Leilon Vaiphei village in connection with the same case.
Notably, 20 Naga civilians were abducted on May 13 following an ambush in Kangpokpi district in which three Church leaders were killed.
On the same day, another Naga civilian was killed in an ambush in Noney district.
Following the incidents, Naga groups also took some Kuki civilians hostage.
After repeated appeals from various organisations, 14 hostages from each side were released on May 15.
On June 9, Naga groups released all the remaining Kuki hostages.
However, the following day, the mutilated bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered near Kharam Vaiphei, triggering protests by Naga and Meitei communities demanding arrests of all the perpetrators.
Amid heightened tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities following the hostage crisis and the killing of the six Naga civilians, Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlienthang Thanglet, on June 25, expressed regret over the killings.
He had said, “Yes, I agree that the Kuki-Zo has made a great mistake in killing six ‘Kacha Nagas,’ civilians out of emotion. I really regret it.”
Several Naga organisations have been demanding justice for the six victims, whose bodies continue to remain unclaimed at the JNIMS mortuary.
The United Naga Council (UNC) recently asserted that it would not lift its economic blockade unless its demands are met.
The demands include the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, the arrest of all those involved in the abduction and murder of the six Naga civilians, the arrest of the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, and the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen among others.
IMPHAL, Jul 18: Security forces today arrested two more persons allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of six Naga civilians.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Lungoulal Vaiphei son of Paothenkam Vaiphei of Leilon Vaiphei village, Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district, and Lunminthang Sitlhou alias Jack, son of Paolen Sitlhou of Molnoi village, Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district.
Police sources said the duo was apprehended by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
With these latest arrests, four persons have been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Police said efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
On July 10, security forces had arrested a couple residing at Leilon Vaiphei village in connection with the same case.
Notably, 20 Naga civilians were abducted on May 13 following an ambush in Kangpokpi district in which three Church leaders were killed.
On the same day, another Naga civilian was killed in an ambush in Noney district.
Following the incidents, Naga groups also took some Kuki civilians hostage.
After repeated appeals from various organisations, 14 hostages from each side were released on May 15.
On June 9, Naga groups released all the remaining Kuki hostages.
However, the following day, the mutilated bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered near Kharam Vaiphei, triggering protests by Naga and Meitei communities demanding arrests of all the perpetrators.
Amid heightened tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities following the hostage crisis and the killing of the six Naga civilians, Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlienthang Thanglet, on June 25, expressed regret over the killings.
He had said, “Yes, I agree that the Kuki-Zo has made a great mistake in killing six ‘Kacha Nagas,’ civilians out of emotion. I really regret it.”
Several Naga organisations have been demanding justice for the six victims, whose bodies continue to remain unclaimed at the JNIMS mortuary.
The United Naga Council (UNC) recently asserted that it would not lift its economic blockade unless its demands are met.
The demands include the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, the arrest of all those involved in the abduction and murder of the six Naga civilians, the arrest of the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, and the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen among others.