Imphal: More than three years into Manipur’s conflict, the killing of six Naga civilians has triggered renewed protests in Imphal and intensified an economic blockade affecting Kuki-Zo areas that has continued for nearly a month.The six, abducted on May 13 from Leilon Vaiphei, a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, were later found dead, with their bodies mutilated and dismembered. The incident has become the flashpoint for the latest escalation.On Tuesday, hundreds gathered at Khwairamband Ima Keithel in Imphal under the banner of multiple Meitei and Naga groups, holding a mass sit-in to demand justice for the six Naga victims and for other indigenous people killed during the ongoing violence.What began in May 2023 as clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has since widened, with the Naga community emerging as a direct stakeholder amid recent killings and rising tensions, further complicating efforts to restore peace.Kshetrimayum Shanti, president of Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Shaktam Kanba Lup, said the prolonged conflict had exposed failures by both the state and central governments to protect civilians. Referring to the six killings and other incidents involving Meitei and Naga victims who were killed or remain missing, she called for immediate justice and accountability. She alleged both governments had failed to take effective action to end the conflict and said it would not end unless the government of India acted decisively against armed Kuki groups and reviewed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.Ng. Akhiu, convener of the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC), also demanded swift justice in the six killings and accountability for Meitei and Naga civilians killed during the unrest. He called for the release of village volunteers and guards arrested while defending their communities and urged the government to convene the monsoon session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to address the crisis.Naga groups have also been enforcing an economic blockade, with protesters stationed at Namdilong on National Highway-2 and at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West, disrupting the supply of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo-dominated Kangpokpi district. Naga leaders have said the blockade will continue until justice is delivered for the six deaths.K. Lhouvum, chief of Hengjang village, a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, said cutting supplies of food and medicines violated the right to life and urged the government to ensure essentials reach the district. He also called for equal justice for all victims, regardless of community.Lhouvum expressed sympathy for the families of the six slain Nagas but said the killings should be viewed alongside the May 13 ambush in which three Kuki-Zo religious leaders were killed and four others injured. He said ordinary citizens across communities were not enemies and argued that many Meiteis, Nagas and Kuki-Zo people had suffered during the prolonged unrest, blaming a small section of leaders for fueling tensions.“The general public are simple and docile people. Whatever our leaders say, we simply follow them and often do not have the power to disobey them,” he stated.
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