New Delhi: A fresh political storm has erupted in Manipur over the killings of Naga civilians, with one deputy chief minister accusing the other deputy chief minister of “colluding” with a “Kuki militant group” led by her husband.
Deputy CM Losii Dikho is among nine Naga MLAs who have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action against Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen, who is from the Kuki community.
Their letter referred to the May abduction and killing of six Naga civilians, whose bodies were recovered in June from outside the Leilon Vaiphei village. Another four Naga civilians, including a school principal, were killed by armed assailants on the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on 27 August, according to the police. On Monday, four days after that attack, at least three Kuki civilians were killed and four others injured after unidentified persons opened fire along the same stretch.
The MLAs have demanded the immediate arrests of Kuki-Zo leaders who have publicly claimed responsibility for the “killing and dismemberment of six innocent Naga citizens”, as well as of deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen’s husband Thangboi Kipgen—of the Kuki National Front-Presidential (KNF-P)—“whose cadres perpetrated” the crime.
The letter demands: “…Immediate arrest of Shri Thangboi Kipgen (KNF-P)—whose wife is the Hon’ble Dy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen—whose cadres, led by self-styled Gen ‘Tiger’ Kipgen are alleged to have perpetrated the killing and mutilation of the six innocent Naga citizens…self-styled Gen ‘Tiger’ Kipgen of KNF-P is a psychopath whose modus operandi is chopping up innocent victims into pieces and secretly burying them in different locations. Such an evil man cannot be allowed to live within civilized society. He must be apprehended and punished as per law of the country.”
Furthermore, they sought action against Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen “as her office is colluding with the Kuki militant group led by her husband Shri Thangboi Kipgen (KNF-P)”, making it “very difficult for the people to comprehend the peace process taken by the government”.
Apart from Deputy CM Losii Dikho, the letter was signed by Convenor of Naga Legislators’ Forum Awangbow Newmai, Secretary of NLF and Kumo Sha, Dinganglung Gangmei, Khasim Vashum, Leishiyo Keishing, Janghemlung Panmei, Ram Muivah, and SS Olish.
The Naga MLAs, in their letter mentioned “deep concern” for “restoring normalcy” in Manipur.
“The current human tragedy unfolding in Manipur has reached a critical and volatile stage, with grave ramifications affecting all aspects of public life. If unbiased, decisive and bold action is not taken without delay, the State may descend into an uncontrollable situation,” read the letter, a copy of which ThePrint has seen.
The Naga MLAs have also sought the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement with all Kuki “militant groups”, in view of repeated violations and acts of terror against civilians.
“Many more horrendous incidents have been committed by the Kuki militants in the recent past but no justice have been delivered till today; the ambush at TM Kasom on the NH-202 where two innocent lives were lost on the 18 April 2026. Langka, a Naga village, was attacked and burnt down…two farmers were killed on 14 August 2026,” the MLAs said in their letter.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Also Read: Modi govt defers Census in Manipur after Amit Shah chairs review meet amid protests, demand for NRC