Imphal: The mortal remains of six Zeliangrong Naga men, including two pastors, will be handed over to their families from the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary on November 16 for the final funeral rites at Naga Martyrs’ Park in Konsakhul.
The Joint Tribe Council (JTC) announced the decision at a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club. The move follows a quadrilateral agreement signed in Guwahati on September 26 between the United Naga Council (UNC), JTC, the Manipur government and the Government of India.
The bodies had remained at the Imphal mortuary for more than five months following their recovery.
Addressing the press conference, JTC Co-convenor Timothy Wijunamai alleged that armed Kuki militants operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement abducted the six men from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, 2026.
The bodies of the missing men were subsequently recovered on June 10. They were reportedly beheaded and severely mutilated.
Family members initially identified two victims through their clothing shortly after the bodies were recovered. Despite the condition of the remains, four of the six victims had been identified by June 12.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) later took over the case to conduct the criminal investigation.
The JTC has appealed to members of all communities to attend the funeral rites, express solidarity with the bereaved families and stand together during the memorial ceremony.