Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) has launched a sharp rebuttal against the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), labeling the group's campaign against Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho as politically motivated misinformation. The UNC maintains that Dikho, a public servant dedicated to peace, cannot be compared to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. The council explicitly linked Kipgen to the Kuki National Front-P, an armed group led by her husband, Semtinthang Kipgen, whom they hold responsible for the Leilon Vaiphei massacre of six Naga men.
"Shri L Dikho is a leader serving for the welfare of the public, irrespective of communities, and has been tirelessly and sincerely working for the restoration of peace in the state. His position cannot be equated with that of fellow deputy chief minister, Smt. Nemcha Kipgen, wife of the head of KNF-P, Shri Semtinthang Kipgen @ Thangboi, who is responsible for the Leilon Vaiphei massacre of six innocent Naga men. Equating the two is a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and the world," the UNC stated.
Tensions remain high. On November 3, Kangpokpi district endured its second day of shutdowns. This protest, organized by CoTU, targets the state government following the discovery of two mutilated bodies in Senapati district. Goods-laden trucks remain stranded as police deploy additional security to the region. The conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has now claimed 306 lives, displaced thousands, and left 49 people missing.
Regarding the recent violence at Tazeikaphun, the UNC claims Naga villagers faced three days of unprovoked attacks by Kuki militants starting October 29. They report that three Kuki cadres died during an exchange of fire on October 31. Furthermore, the council denounced the destruction of homes in the Maram village of T. Khullen. Armed individuals burned the houses at 3:30 PM on November 1 while central security and Kangpokpi Police reportedly stood by. The UNC now demands the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
The Naga Women’s Union and Naga Students’ Federation joined the UNC in demanding accountability. They called for an independent investigation into the two bodies found in Senapati, questioning the role of Additional Superintendent Thangkhochon Haokip in the handling of the case. The Naga groups argue that the push to remove Dikho acts as a diversionary tactic to mask the aggressive activities of Kuki militant factions operating under the Suspension of Operations arrangement.
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