Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Nine Naga legislators skipped the final sitting of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday, September 7. They staged a protest across party lines to demand the removal or suspension of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. The lawmakers claim Kipgen’s husband is the prime suspect in the May 13, 2026, killing of six Naga civilians.
These victims were among 18 people abducted from Leilon Vaiphei. Legislators allege the bodies were mutilated. NPF Manipur unit president Awangbou Newmai rejected the Home Minister’s recent statement clearing certain individuals of involvement. He argued that the investigation remains incomplete and that eyewitness accounts contradict official claims.
Newmai cited ongoing inaction regarding the FIR, which includes the Leilon Vaiphei village chief as a suspect. The chief remains at large nearly four months after the attack. "How can they be proved innocent when there are eyewitnesses among those who were abducted and later released?" Newmai asked.
The protest occurred at the official quarters of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho in Lamphel. Dikho stressed that the boycott was not a rebellion against the government. Instead, he labeled it a push for accountability and justice. The Naga community claims they have shown restraint throughout the regional crisis, even releasing Kuki detainees previously.
Naga lawmakers also alleged links between Kipgen and the Kuki National Front-P, or KNF-P. They now refuse to sit alongside the Deputy Chief Minister until the probe concludes. The group previously urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene. For now, the legislators say their patience has finally run out.
Updated at 9th September 2026 at 1:49pm
The United Naga Council is turning up the heat. Following an emergency council meeting in Ukhrul, the group launched an indefinite economic blockade starting at 1 am Wednesday. The protest shuts down commercial traffic on NH-2, NH-202, NH-37, and NH-102A. While the council says it will let through medical supplies, media, power, and water service vehicles, the blockade marks a significant escalation in the ongoing standoff.
The council initially started this blockade on May 17, following an ultimatum regarding the abduction of 18 Naga civilians. They shifted to an indefinite total shutdown of these key trade routes after the discovery of the six bodies. The council maintains that the victims were not only killed but dismembered, and they are leveraging the blockade to force the state government into arresting those named in the FIR, including the village chief, and removing Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
Comments