Imphal: The Naga Peoples' Union Imphal (NPUI) has called for a mass sit-in protest at Ema Market on Tuesday, July 7, over the killing of six Naga civilians who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13 this year.
In a press release issued on July 4 and circulated to 13 local media houses, the NPUI appealed to the "general public mainly the Meitei's and the Naga's" to join the protest at Khairamband bazar from 10:30 am onwards, preferably in traditional attire.
The union described the killings as "barbaric and inhuman" and attributed them to "Kuki Terrorist" groups. The six victims were among 20 Naga civilians abducted on May 13 from Konsakhul and surrounding areas. While 14 women hostages were released two days later, the six men remained in captivity. Their bodies were recovered on June 10.
The NPUI's release also flagged the arrest of "innocent Meitei Village Guards (AT)," adding another layer of grievance to the protest call.
Signed by President M. Ngaranml and General Secretary HB Kowarhring, the letter was addressed to editors at ISTV, Impact TV, SK TV, Northeast Window TV, A New TV, Tom TV, Mami TV Network, The Sangai Express, The Chronicles, Poknapham, Hueiyen Lanpao, Naharolgi Thoudang, and The Ukhrul Times.
The May 13 abduction had already triggered a large rally in Imphal on May 25, where the NPUI submitted a seven-point ultimatum to the Chief Minister demanding the arrest of Leilon Vaiphei village authorities and the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups. The Kuki-Zo Council later expressed regret over the killings on June 25, but the All Naga Students' Association Manipur rejected the statement as inadequate.
Tuesday's protest marks the NPUI's latest attempt to keep pressure on the government while also reaching out to the Meitei community for joint participation, a notable move at a time when ethnic fault lines in the state remain deeply strained.
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