The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has rejected the apology issued by leaders of the Kuki-Zo Council over the killing of six Naga hostages, asserting that no apology can be considered genuine or acceptable unless those responsible for the abduction, torture, mutilation and killing of the victims are identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In a statement, ANSAM said justice cannot be replaced by rhetoric or symbolic declarations, maintaining that accountability for the crime must precede any attempt at reconciliation. The association alleged that the six Naga civilians were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, 2026, held captive, subjected to torture and later killed within what it described as ancestral Naga territory. It termed the incident a grave assault on the dignity, security and collective rights of the Naga people.
ANSAM also expressed strong objection to the apology issued by the self-styled leaders of the Kuki-Zo Council, contending that the statement neither amounted to a genuine apology nor an admission of responsibility for the alleged actions of the KNF(P) and residents of Leilon Vaiphei village. It further alleged that the use of the term “Katcha Nagas” in the statement was derogatory, historically untenable and offensive to the identity and dignity of the Naga people.
The association questioned why the Kuki-Zo Council, comprising different Kuki and Zomi groups, had used what it described as derogatory expressions while addressing an incident it claimed involved serious violations of human rights. According to ANSAM, the language employed in the statement undermined its claim of expressing remorse and instead aggravated the pain of the affected families and the Naga community.
ANSAM further sought clarification on whether the apology had been issued on behalf of those directly involved in the killings or whether the Kuki-Zo Council itself accepted responsibility or had any association with the incident. It also questioned whether the council possessed the mandate to speak on behalf of all communities grouped under the Kuki-Zo nomenclature and whether the Zomi community had formally endorsed both the council and its apology.
The ANSAM reiterated that the Naga community had no involvement in the killing of the three Thadou church leaders, stating that the incident reportedly occurred between Kotzim and Kotlen Kuki village areas where, according to ANSAM, Nagas neither exercise access nor influence. It described attempts to implicate Nagas in that incident as baseless and intended to create communal discord.
Calling upon the Government of Manipur and the Government of India to act without delay, ANSAM urged the authorities to ensure that all those responsible for the alleged abduction and killing of the six Naga hostages are brought to justice. It also called for serious consideration of the charter of demands submitted by the United Naga Council.
Reaffirming its solidarity with the bereaved families, ANSAM stated that lasting reconciliation could only be achieved through truth, accountability, respect for identity, acknowledgment of historical facts and the effective administration of justice.
