Imphal: A political crisis has emerged in Manipur’s ruling coalition as nine Naga legislators, led by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, demanded immediate central intervention and threatened to withdraw support from the BJP-led government, alleging that Kuki leader and Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, the state’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, has a nexus with insurgents.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the lawmakers, belonging to the Naga People’s Front (NPF), accused fellow Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and her husband, Thangboi Kipgen, of fueling ethnic violence between the Kuki and Naga communities.

The legislators alleged that Kipgen’s office is colluding with the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), an armed faction they claim is led by her husband.

The letter demanded the immediate arrest of Thangboi Kipgen and a cadre leader known as “Gen Tiger Kipgen,” holding them responsible for the killing and mutilation of six Naga men. Dikho also publicly criticised Kipgen for being unreachable during peace efforts following a series of abductions that began on May 13.

Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen denied any collusion with armed groups, labelling the charges as “completely false, vexatious, and baseless.”

Warning that “speculative rhetoric” only deepens mistrust in the region, the Kuki leader urged Dikho to refrain from making assertions that could incite inter-community disharmony.

Kipgen clarified that all matters involving armed groups are strictly governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework and its independent monitoring mechanisms.

Defending her record, Kipgen pointed to interventions that helped secure the release of 21 Naga detainees in February and another 18 in May following separate outbreaks of violence.

Addressing criticism over her perceived public absence, she argued that genuine peacebuilding is measured by tangible action rather than public appearances.

She revealed that she had previously attempted to initiate a dialogue with Naga civil society organisations through Dikho, but the efforts failed to materialise.

Kipgen said that a lack of structured engagement between community organisations has contributed to the loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.