The Working Committee of the Joint Tribes Council Manipur (WC-JTCM) has strongly opposed the proposed maiden visit of Chief Minister to Luangkao Village on September 12, 2026, including a scheduled review of the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum.
In a statement, the WC-JTCM said it “does not approve” of the Chief Minister’s proposed visit at the present juncture, citing the alleged abduction and killing of six Liangmai Naga men at Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, 2026.
The committee said 119 days have passed since the incident and alleged that the mortal remains of the 6 victims remain unclaimed at the JNIMS morgue in Imphal. It further alleged that no arrests have been made and that the investigation has not reached a conclusion.
WC-JTCM, in a press release, stated that the families of the deceased continue to await closure and the Naga community is seeking accountability in connection with the killings.
The committee said that, against this backdrop, holding official programmes or public engagements in Naga areas, including those intended to honour Rani Gaidinliu or review development projects, would be inappropriate until justice is delivered to the families of the deceased.
While acknowledging Rani Gaidinliu as a “legendary freedom fighter and founder of the Heraka faith,” the WC-JTCM demanded that the government prioritise justice for the six slain Liangmai men before undertaking visits of a humanitarian, developmental or political nature to Naga areas.
“Justice first. Then everything else,” the committee said.
The WC-JTCM also appealed to Naga people, civil society organisations and community leaders to refrain from participating in the proposed programme and to boycott official engagements that, according to the committee, do not reflect the collective position of the Naga people.
The committee further called on Naga leaders, village authorities and civil society organisations to refrain from meeting government officials on development projects, relief assistance or political dialogue until the interests of Naga communities are duly consulted and represented.
It maintained that no individual or organisation should claim to speak on behalf of the Naga people without a collective mandate.
The statement concluded with a warning that the community’s silence and patience should not be taken for granted.