Leilon Vaiphei is main villain, say widows of Konsakhul
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 14 2026: "Thought of them as neighbours," families of the Naga men from Konsakhul, who were tortured and murdered by Kuki militants, said while expressing their resentment toward residents of Leilon Vaiphei village and vowed not to claim the bodies until justice is delivered.

Of the six victims, four were married while two were unmarried.

Speaking to reporters at Makhan today, Wikhonliu Thiumai, wife of Phenrongwi Thiumai, and Winiliu Thiumai, wife of Dilip Thiumai, whose husbands were killed in the incident, said that it was the women of Leilon Vaiphei village who abducted their husbands before handing them over to Kuki militants.

Devastated and disheartened, they said they had hoped that at least the women of Leilon Vaiphei would show mercy, but this expectation was not fulfilled, as the bodies were later found mutilated.

They asserted that the Government's response to the hostage crisis and the subsequent killing of six Naga civilians made them feel like outsiders, rather than part of Manipur.

Wikhonliu said her husband, Dilip, had gone on May 13 to arrange admission for their son in Class XI, but was stopped by women from Leilon Vaiphei and handed over to Kuki militants.

She said they are not a well-off family.

She added that her husband called her three times on May 13 after he was abducted by the women vigilantes, but his mobile phone was switched off the following day.

Wikhonliu said she had always believed her husband would return despite the odds, but his body was eventually found on June 10 .

With tears in her eyes, she said she did not have the opportunity to see her husband one last time.

Saying that her husband's body was chopped into pieces, she added that he might have been rescued had the Government carried out a widespread operation on the day of the abduction.

Wikhonliu said she had never imagined that the residents of Leilon Vaiphei would turn out to be so heartless and cruel, despite having lived as neighbours for decades.

Stating that illegal immigrants from Myanmar reside at Leilon Vaiphei, she conveyed her strong belief that her husband and the five other Naga men were killed by these illegal immigrants, who could not even speak Meiteilon.

Wikhonliu added that she would not claim her husband's remains until justice is served.

The Government must ensure justice is delivered to all the victims, she asserted.

Winiliu Thiumai said that Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen must be removed from her post on moral grounds.

She narrated that she, along with her husband Dilip and their daughter, were abducted on May 13.Stating that the women and children hostages were later released after being harassed by Kuki groups, she added that the male Naga hostages, however, were mercilessly murdered.

Kuki organisations had claimed that no Naga men were abducted but their bodies were found chopped, severed, and in pieces on June 10, she added.

Saying that the Naga civilians were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei, not far from an area where CRPF personnel are deployed, she added that the tragedy could have been avoided had the Government taken swift action.

She urged the Government and the security agencies to not take sides and deliver justice to the victim families at the earliest.

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