The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has strongly condemned the alleged attack by the CRPF’s CoBRA unit on members of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) at Bitiang (Laphok) village in Noney district, claiming that one NVG member was killed and several village volunteers were critically injured.
According to a press release issued by the MNYO, the deceased has been identified as Lanbimei Riamei (22). The organisation described the incident as an “unprovoked” and “calculated” assault and alleged that CoBRA personnel had surrounded the village on July 28 before launching an operation the following morning while the village guards were having breakfast.
The MNYO further alleged that the operation was carried out without the involvement of the local district administration or police and claimed that the action violated established norms governing security operations. It also criticised the Superintendent of Police, Noney, and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer for allegedly failing to conduct a proper inquiry into the incident.
Referring to the killing of six Naga civilians whose bodies were recovered after they were abducted on May 13, the organisation said the Naga community continues to await justice. It alleged that despite the passage of more than two months, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has not brought the main perpetrators to justice.
The organisation also questioned the functioning of the state government, alleging that security operations were disproportionately directed against Naga Village Guards while no comparable action had been taken against armed Kuki militant groups. It further raised objections over Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen’s continuance in office, alleging a conflict of interest because of her marital relationship with an alleged leader of a Kuki militant group under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
In its charter of demands, the MNYO sought the immediate removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers, withdrawal of CoBRA personnel from Bitiang and surrounding Naga areas, speedy prosecution of those responsible for the May 13 killings, and government action to clear alleged illegal blockades on National Highway-202.
The organisation also urged to revoke the Suspension of Operations agreements with Kuki militant groups and designate organisations such as KNF (P), KRA, KLA/UKLA, KRF and KNF (N) as terrorist organisations. Drawing a comparison with the Centre’s response to the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the MNYO appealed to the Government of India to take similar action against those allegedly involved in the killing of six Naga civilians.
