Imphal: Major civil society organisations in Manipur, including the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC), have condemned security forces for allegedly using excessive force, tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful demonstrators at Kanglatongbi in Kangpokpi district on August 20.
The police action left at least 10 people seriously injured, including a 17-year-old minor, further raising tensions over the unresolved abduction and murder of six Liangmai Naga men.
The demonstration at Namdilong, Kanglatongbi, was organised as a peaceful sit-in by the families, friends and community members of six Liangmai Naga men who were allegedly abducted and murdered, along with two farmers who were killed at Langka Naga village.
According to the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long, the peaceful gathering was disrupted when security personnel, including units of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), moved against the crowd.
At least four people sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospitals in Imphal for emergency treatment. One of the injured protesters was identified as 36-year-old Wikhonliu, the wife of Phengrongwi, one of the six men who were allegedly abducted and murdered.
The other seriously injured protesters were identified as Wilobou, 33, Chunwibou, 17, and Masenwangbou, 44.COCOMI said four other participants were also briefly detained during the incident.
Civil society leaders expressed concern that three months have passed since the May 13 abduction and killing of the six Liangmai Naga men at Leilon Vaiphei village, but the state government has yet to provide concrete results or clear statements.
The Working Committee of the TNL alleged that key figures linked to the killings, including KNF-P (Kuki National Front-Presidential) president ST Thangboi Kipgen, who is the husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, his cadres and local civil society representatives from Leilon Vaiphei, continue to remain at large.
AMUCO also criticised what it described as the government’s lack of action towards the grieving families and demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those allegedly involved in the killings.
COCOMI said the continuing crisis in Manipur was a result of the government’s failure to take action against both Suspension of Operations (SoO) and non-SoO militant groups operating in the region.
The Tangkhul Naga community also expressed solidarity with the Liangmai Naga victims and endorsed the directives issued by the United Naga Council (UNC) concerning safety and justice in the hill districts.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) condemned the incident and called on the state government to bear the full cost of medical treatment and provide compensation to all injured protesters.
The DMCC also demanded a formal assurance from the government that citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly would not face violence from security forces. It said justice for the Liangmai Naga victims must remain a priority.