Ukhrul, May 29: Former Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, K. Timothy Zimik, IRS (Retd.), has alleged that the six abducted Naga civilians who went missing following the May 13 hostage crisis in Kangpokpi district were murdered on the same day of their abduction, citing eyewitness testimonies, statements, interviews and publicly available materials.
In a five-page document titled “The Abduction and Murder of 6 Naga Civilians”, issued on May 29, Zimik claimed that available evidence, including accounts from released hostages and messages reportedly sent by abducted persons, points to the alleged killing of the six men on May 13 itself.
According to the document, on the morning of May 13 between 10:30 am and 11:00 am, 18 Naga civilians — including women, an infant and six men from Konsakhul village and nearby areas — were allegedly abducted at Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district. Zimik further alleged that the abductees were handed over to armed Kuki militants, while two Naga priests were separately abducted at Sapermaina village, bringing the total number of abducted Nagas to 20. He stated that 14 hostages were released on May 15, but six male hostages, including two pastors, remained missing.
The report cites testimonies of the released hostages, particularly women who were allegedly among those abducted, as direct eyewitness accounts. It stated that the released hostages narrated how male relatives were forcibly separated, blindfolded, tied and taken away by armed men. The document further claimed that the released women identified those allegedly involved and could recognise them if produced before authorities.
Zimik alleged involvement of certain village leaders, Meira Paibi members and cadres of the Kuki National Front (KNF), asserting that authorities failed to act swiftly despite the matter becoming public shortly after the incident. He questioned the role of security agencies and criticised what he described as delayed action in apprehending suspected individuals.
The document also scrutinised statements issued by Kuki civil society organisations, including the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), Kuki National Organization (KNO), and Village Volunteer Eastern Zone (VVEZ), alleging contradictions and silence regarding the six missing Naga men. Zimik argued that certain public statements indirectly acknowledged the abduction of Naga civilians but failed to clarify the whereabouts of the six missing individuals.
Further, the retired IRS officer questioned the handling of the case by investigative agencies and called for accountability from those allegedly involved. He also referred to competing narratives surrounding the killing of three Thadou church leaders on the same day, claiming that the incidents warrant deeper scrutiny.
The document concludes with an appeal to concerned organisations to prove his allegations wrong by facilitating the release or clarification regarding the whereabouts of the six abducted civilians.
(Editor’s Note: The allegations contained in the document are claims made by K. Timothy Zimik in a public statement and have not been independently verified. Responses from the organisations and individuals named in the document were not immediately available.)
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