The People’s Alliance for Peace and Progress, Manipur (PAPPM) has held the Indian State fully responsible for the abduction and killing of six Liangmai Naga villagers whose bodies were recovered near Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on June 10. The organisation alleged that the victims were abducted on May 13 by cadres of the Kuki National Front (President) [KNF-P], a group operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India.
In a statement issued on Saturday, PAPPM identified the victims as Kenpibou Chawang, Manu Thiumai, Phenrongwibo Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Kaliwangbou Abonmai and Ch. Phenrilung, all of whom belonged to the Liangmai Naga community of the Koubru range. The organisation alleged that the victims were abducted and later killed, and described the recovery of their bodies as a deeply disturbing incident.
PAPPM claimed that the SoO mechanism has failed to protect indigenous communities and instead enabled armed groups to exercise coercive power in the region. It argued that the Government of India, as a party to the SoO agreement, bears moral, legal and political responsibility for the actions of signatory groups. The organisation further alleged that repeated incidents involving armed groups had not been adequately addressed by the authorities.
The organisation also referred to KNF-P chairman Semtinthang (Thangboi) Kipgen and noted that he is the husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. PAPPM described this as a conflict of interest and criticised the government for not taking action in the wake of the killings.
