By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Manipur State Unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed serious concern over a statement carried by a media outlet on May 26, in which Kuki civil society organizations (CSOs) reportedly said they were unaware of the whereabouts of six Naga men kidnapped from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
Reacting to the statement, the NPF said the denial was “deeply disturbing” and questioned the inconsistency in the CSOs’ stand, noting that they appeared to have information about other abducted individuals while claiming ignorance about the missing Naga men.
The NPF alleged that 14 civilians including women and a child were abducted together on May 13. According to the party, some of the women and the child, who had reportedly been taken along with their husbands, were freed on May 15, but six men are still unaccounted for.
The party further asserted that the statements given by the released women directly contradict the denial issued by the Kuki CSOs. It claimed the survivors had shared detailed accounts of the incident, including the location from where they were taken and how they were separated from their family members during the abduction.
The NPF named the women who were allegedly released after the abduction as Kachlaklung Thiumai, wife of Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai; Winiliu Thiumai and her daughter Sarah Thiumai, the wife and daughter of Dilip Thiumai; and Wibonliu Chawang, wife of Phenrilungbou Chawang.
According to the party, the six men still missing are Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, Dilip Thiumai, Phenrilungbou Chawang, Pherongwibou Thiumai, Kenpibou Chawang and Kliwangbou Abonmai.
The NPF also raised a series of questions over the statement issued by the Kuki CSOs, asking who was responsible for abducting the men, separating them from their families, and later releasing the women while the men continued to remain in captivity. It further questioned how the incident could have taken place openly during daytime without any trace or information about the missing persons emerging so far.
The NPF said the persistent denial of the incident, despite accounts from eyewitnesses, has deepened anxiety and distrust within the Naga community. It warned that although Nagas have so far shown restraint amid rising emotional tension, continued silence over the matter could harm inter-community relations and peace.
Calling for urgent action, the party demanded that the whereabouts of the six missing men be revealed immediately and that they be released safely and without conditions. It also sought accountability against those allegedly involved in the abduction.
The NPF further asserted that it would remain committed to supporting the affected families and continue its pursuit of justice until the facts surrounding the incident are fully uncovered.