Kohima: The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has submitted a memorandum to the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, calling for immediate intervention in an effort to ensure justice, accountability and protection for the innocent Naga civilians affected by the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
The memorandum was submitted on July 9, 2026, at a Candle Light Vigil held at Kohima under the banner of NSF, demanding justice for six Naga hostages who, according to the Federation, were abducted, tortured and killed by armed militants during the ongoing conflict.
The NSF undertook a Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission to Southern Nagalim, Manipur from June 4 to 6, 2026 to examine the humanitarian and security conditions, extend solidarity to the affected communities and document incidents affecting civilian life, the document said. The Federation said that the ongoing conflict has had a severe impact on the civilian life in several Naga-inhabited areas, with communities living under insecurity due to attacks, displacement, restrictions on movement and persistent fear about civilian safety.
The memorandum particularly cites the abduction of six Naga civilians from the Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on 13 May 2026. Despite Naga civil society organisations and community leaders’ sustained humanitarian efforts to secure their safe release, the six civilians were subsequently recovered deceased on 10 June 2026, it says. The Federation said the incident had caused “deep grief and anguish” among the families of the victims and the larger Naga community.
The NSF submitted its representation with an enclosed report titled “Report on the Naga-Kuki Conflict in Manipur: Findings of the Naga Students’ Federation Reconnaissance and Solidarity Mission to Southern Nagalim, Manipur” with field observations, community interactions, incident documentation and recommendations.
The memorandum contained eight major demands:
- An independent, impartial and time-bound investigation into the abduction, captivity, torture and killing of the six Naga civilians with all responsible persons identified and proceeded against through due process.
- Full investigation of all incidents involving killings, abductions, attacks on civilians, destruction of property and displacement to ensure justice for affected families.
- A comprehensive review and action on the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement in light of concerns over violations, ongoing armed activities and serious human rights abuses.
- An independent investigation into concerns regarding the conduct, neutrality and operational role of security forces in conflict-affected areas.
- Urgent actions to safeguard Naga villages, civilian lives, ancestral lands and community institutions impacted by the conflict.
- Effective steps to prevent illegal cultivation of poppy, traffic in narcotic drugs and illicit proliferation of arms through concerted action of the competent authorities.
- Effective and impartial security arrangements for safe and unimpeded movement of civilians along National Highway-202 and other strategic routes.
- Sincere efforts towards sustainable peace through dialogue, justice, accountability and respect for the dignity and rights of all affected communities.
The NSF also noted concerns raised by affected communities about the spread of illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking and the proliferation of sophisticated weapons by armed groups. The growth of an illicit economy continues to feed ongoing armed violence.
The Federation has urged for appropriate intervention to ensure justice to the victims, accountability for serious violations, protection of civilians and restoration of peace in Manipur.
The memorandum has been copied to 22 entities including the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Governors and Chief Ministers of Manipur and Nagaland, the DGPs of both states, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), the United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, the Delegation of the European Union to India, diplomatic missions, international human rights organisations and national and international media organisations.
The communication was signed by NSF President Mteisuding and General Secretary Kenilo Kent.
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