Naga MLAs stay away from Assembly session
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 07 2026: Sending a strong message of protest and indignation against the Government's failure to deliver justice to the inhuman butchering of six Naga hostages allegedly by KNF(P) headed by Thangboi Kipgen, husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, all the nine Naga MLAs stayed away from the Manipur Legislative Assembly session today.

All the members of the Naga Legislators' Forum namely; Leishiyo Keishing (Phungyar AC, NPF), Ram Muivah (Ukhrul AC, NPF), Khashim Vashum (Chingai AC, NPF), J Kumo Sha (Karong AC, Ind), Losii Dikho (Mao AC), Awang-bow Newmai (Tamei AC), Janghemlung Panmei (Tamenglong AC, NPP), Dinganglung Gangmei (Nungba AC, BJP) and SS Olish (Chandel AC, BJP), abstained from attending the last sitting of the Assembly session.

Naga MLAs stay away from Assembly session

Even as the House session began at 11 am, the Naga MLAs, instead of attending the session, addressed the media at the Lamphelpat quarters of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho on why they were not attending the Assembly session.

Naga Legislators' Forum, Manipur president Awangbow Newmai said that it has been almost four months since they have been demanding justice for the six Naga hostages murdered in the most savage manner by the militant group KNF(P) headed by Thang-boi Kipgen, husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

People have been demanding the arrest of the KNF(P) president in connection with the inhuman murder of the six Naga civilians, he said.

Awangbow Newmai asserted that Nemcha Kipgen's husband Thangboi Kipgen is the prime accused of the inhuman, spine-chilling cold blooded murder.

As such, Nemcha Kipgen must be removed or suspended from the post of Deputy Chief Minister until the case of murdering the six Naga hostages is solved.

Saying that the Naga Legislators' Forum has already submitted a representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighting their demand and position on the gruesome murder, Awangbow Newmai confided that they are hoping for justice at the earliest.

At the same time, the members of the Naga Legislators' Forum decided to stay away from the Assembly session today as it was participated by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and her husband Thangboi Kipgen, the prime accused of the gruesome murder, has not been arrested yet, Awangbow said.

Altogether 18 Naga civilians were abducted by KNF(P) from Leilon Vaiphei Kuki village on May 13, 2026 in front of the village chief.

Even though 12 women and a child were freed, six men were butchered in the most savage manner.

"Our Deputy Chief Minister, the Hill Areas Committee Chairman, Naga MLAs and Naga CSOs made every effort to secure the release of all the abducted Nagas.

"Even as we tried to contact Nemcha Kipgen as a part of our efforts to secure the release of the Naga hostages, Nemcha Kipgen switched off her mobile phone", Awangbow New-mai said.

Not only Nemcha Kipgen, mobile phones of all leaders of Kangpokpi-based CSOs were also found switched off.

All the efforts to get the hostages released safely went in vain, he said.

Strangely, one Government official advised Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho to contact Aron Kipgen, the spokesman of KNF(P) led by Nemcha Kipgen's husband Thangboi Kipgen.

Though the particular advice sounded strange, it made it clear that the abduction of 18 Naga civilians was carried out by the KNF(P), Awangbow Newmai said.

He pointed out the inconsistency of Kuki CSOs on the issue.

At first, they said that they had no knowledge of the abduction of 18 Naga civilians.

Again, they said that they knew of the 12 persons abducted and freed them a few days later but knew nothing of the abduction of the six Liangmai men who were later found butchered in the most savage manner.

Then the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) came out and said sorry for the murder of the six Naga hostages, Awangbow recalled.

He added that they have already named Thangboi Kipgen, husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen as the prime accused of the gruesome murder of the six Naga hostages.

Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho said that the Naga MLAs decided to stay away from the Assembly session as they were left with no other option.

For the last four months, Naga people have been waiting patiently for justice but today their patience has run out.

"It is now becoming increasingly difficult to work together with the Deputy Chief Minister who cannot work in the collective interest of the State", Losii Dikho said.

He asserted that no Indian law permits a legislator to serve as a Government leader while patronising a militant organisation.

Naga legislators will never work together with such legislators.

That was why, the Naga Legislators' Forum decided to refrain from attending today's Assembly session.

Saying that Nagas believe in peaceful co-existence, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho urged the Government of India to take up necessary action in line with the Naga's people sentiment and wish.