NPUI calls for arrests, white paper and revocation of SoO
Imphal: The Naga People’s Union Imphal (NPUI) on September 18 criticised the state government's handling of the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, 2023, and demanded immediate legal action, including the arrest of those named in confessions and eyewitness accounts.
NPUI President M. Ngaranmi told reporters in Imphal that the administration had so far not initiated prosecutions against individuals and groups who acknowledged involvement in the incident. He urged the government to seize the weapons allegedly used and publish an official white paper detailing the circumstances of the killings.
"The Naga community has no confidence in the delivery of justice as long as [Deputy Chief Minister] Nemcha Kipgen remains in office,"
Ngaranmi said office bearers of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) should be arrested and questioned to establish the full facts. He also called for the apprehension of cadres of the Kuki National Front-Presidency (KNF-P) identified by eyewitnesses.
Demands and proposed state actions
- Arrest and interrogation of KZC and KIM office bearers linked to the incident.
- Seizure of weapons alleged to have been used in the killings.
- Publication of an official white paper on the Leilon Vaiphei incident.
- Abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the KNF-P and designation of the group as a terrorist organisation.
- Removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from office.
Speaking after the press interaction, Ngaranmi said the NPUI would pursue "various forms of public agitation" until legal steps were taken against those the union holds responsible and demanded capital punishment for the accused. He appealed to Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly to intervene and assist victim families in securing justice.
Background and wider context
The incident of May 13, 2023, when six civilians were taken from Leilon Vaiphei village and later killed, has been a point of contention between communities in the state. According to the NPUI account, both the KZC and KIM issued formal apologies and confessions relating to the killings; the NPUI argues that those acknowledgements have not been followed by criminal proceedings.
| Item | NPUI demand |
|---|---|
| Legal action | Arrest and prosecution of those who admitted involvement |
| Weapons | Confiscation and forensic examination |
| Political accountability | Removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen |
In its statement, the NPUI acknowledged support from various indigenous communities, Meira Paibis and civil society groups, and asked for sustained backing until judicial processes are completed. The union described the incident as causing long-term trauma to the victims' families and stressed the need for transparent, legally robust investigations.
The report did not include a response from the state government or from Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. The NPUI also sought rescission of the SoO with the KNF-P and asked that the group be designated a terrorist organisation—requests that, if pursued by the administration, would involve legal and security assessments at the state and central levels.
Observers say demands for arrests and revocation of SoO carry implications for peace processes and security arrangements in Manipur. Any move to designate an armed group as a terrorist organisation would require central government procedures and could affect ongoing negotiations and local ceasefire mechanisms.
The NPUI's public call intensifies pressure on the state administration to explain the status of inquiries into the Leilon Vaiphei killings and to outline steps it will take to address claims of admission and apology from Kuki organisations. The union has made clear it will continue public agitation until it considers justice served.
