In a significant but inconclusive attempt to break the prolonged deadlock over the killing of six Liangmai Naga civilians, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today travelled to Senapati district and held high-level talks with leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC), urging them to lift the ongoing economic blockade along National Highway-2.
The blockade, enforced by Naga organisations, has disrupted the movement of essential commodities and passenger vehicles along the state’s principal lifeline. It was imposed following the abduction and brutal killing of six Liangmai Naga civilians by suspected Kuki militants. The bodies of the six victims continue to lie unclaimed at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), with Naga organisations refusing to perform the last rites until their demands are fulfilled.
The hour-long meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Senapati, focused on finding a way out of the impasse while addressing the demands of the Naga community. The Chief Minister appealed to the UNC leadership to withdraw the blockade in the larger interest of restoring normalcy and rebuilding trust among communities as the state continues its efforts to emerge from more than three years of ethnic conflict.
Despite the government’s appeal, the talks ended without any breakthrough.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, UNC President Ng. Lorho described the discussions as “fruitful and meaningful” but admitted that no agreement had been reached.
“It was a fruitful and meaningful discussion, but it remains inconclusive,” Lorho said.
He categorically stated that the economic blockade would not be lifted and could even be intensified unless those responsible for the abduction and murder of the six innocent civilians are arrested and brought to justice.
Lorho reiterated that the UNC would not claim the bodies of the six slain Liangmai Nagas until its four demands are met. These include the arrest of all those involved in the killings, the arrest of the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, and the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from office.
“The bodies are still lying in the mortuary. Until our four demands are fulfilled, we are not in a position to claim or take the dead bodies,” he said.
According to the UNC president, the State Government urged the council to withdraw the blockade and acknowledged the role played by Naga village guards in facilitating the safe release of 14 Kuki hostages on June 9 as a goodwill gesture.
While the government sought the cooperation of the Naga apex body to ease the humanitarian impact of the blockade, the UNC maintained that justice for the slain civilians must precede any relaxation of its agitation.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Loshii Dikho, MLAs Th. Robindro Singh, J. Kumo Sha and Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar, IAS, and other senior district officials.
