Tangkhul womenfolk ask Nemcha to own moral responsibility
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, May 20 2026: Thousands of Tangkhul womenfolk dressed in black makhela gathered at mini Secretariat office complex, Hamleikhong, Ukhrul and staged a sit-in-protest demanding the safe release of six Liangmei Naga hostages and to immediately arrest and prosecute the individuals and group involved in the criminal act.

The womenfolk demanded Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen to own moral responsibility and step down from the post of Deputy CM .

The protesters shouted slogans such as "Resign- Dy CM Nemcha Kipgen", "Release all the Naga hostages", "Abrogate SoO agreement", "Government of Manipur - Act fast" etc .

Tangkhul womenfolk ask Nemcha to own moral responsibility

The protest was followed by a public meeting where Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) president Thingreiphy Lungharwo highlighted the abduction of 18 Liangmei Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village of Kangpokpi district on May 13 .

She said that the women of Leilon Vaiphei were involved in the abduction of 18 persons.

The involvement of villagers clearly indicates that the Leilon Vaiphei village chief has full knowledge and information of the abduction of civilians.

Among the 18 captives, 12 women were released the next day while six men Pr Kenpibou, Rev Manu, Phengrongwibou, Dilip, Kaliwungbou and Phenrilungbou are still held captive by Kuki.

Till date, there is no information of their whereabouts or whether they are dead or alive.

Thingreiphy slammed Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) for denying the abduction of Nagas by the Kuki in spite of sufficient proof available in the public domain.

Questioning the credibility of KIM, she said that Kukis are accustomed to fabrication of lies although they embraced Christianity as their main religion.

The TSL president said, Tangkhul women wearing black rikron kashan makhela signifies solidarity and sharing of pain and sorrow with the victim families.

Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) vice president RS Jollyson expressed strong condemnation against the brutal abduction and holding innocent civilians as captives for many days.

RS Jollyson stated that a coordination meeting with security forces and Tangkhul CSOs chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul Asish Das was held at the DC's chamber recently.

The meeting had a threadbare discussion on how to end the current Kuki-Naga conflict.

During the meeting, the Tangkhul CSOs asked why Central paramilitary forces, army and State forces cannot clear the 3-Km stretch of NH-202 .

He said it has already been three months without any tangible action.

He categorically stated that the Government agencies working in the Tangkhul region must understand the historical facts of the Nagas before conducting any security operation.

"Kuki first sought permission from the Tangkhul community for settling in our areas," Jollyson said.

Now Kukis have been committing all kinds of criminal and anti-social activities including killing, kidnapping, harassment, atrocities etc .

Moreover, Kukis are indulging in large scale illegal poppy cultivation and drug business, endangering the younger generation, he said.

The TNL vice president asserted that a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict can be achieved only after relocation or ouster of Kukis from the Tangkhul region.