Senapati, May 26: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has strongly condemned what it termed as continued attempts by certain individuals and groups to evade accountability in connection with the alleged abduction of six Naga men from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13, 2026, asserting that the victims remain missing till date.
In a press communiqué issued on May 26, ANSAM expressed serious concern over recent statements made by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) regarding the involvement of Leilon Vaiphei village Chief, Mr. Lalboi Vaiphei, in the case. The student body stated that the KZC, in its communication to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 25, had categorically denied any involvement of the village chief, claiming that he was away for medical reasons during the alleged incident. Rejecting the explanation as “baseless and unacceptable,” ANSAM maintained that physical absence from the village cannot absolve a chief of responsibility, especially in matters concerning law and order within his jurisdiction. According to the association, village authorities and functionaries under the chief’s authority were duty-bound to intervene, cooperate, and respond to the incident. “Absence from the location cannot be conveniently used to evade accountability. As the chief of the village, responsibility for every major incident occurring within and around the village jurisdiction ultimately rests with him,” ANSAM stated. The association further alleged that testimonies from women who were reportedly released after the incident clearly pointed to the involvement of around 30 armed Kuki men, who allegedly separated six men from a group of 18 civilians, including family members, before handing them over to militants. According to ANSAM, such testimonies provide a “concrete starting point” for investigation and immediate action. The organisation also welcomed the recent apprehension of four individuals in connection with the case but stressed that further arrests must follow without delay and that justice should be delivered impartially. The student body also addressed allegations linking the abduction incident to the May 13 ambush and killing of senior leaders of the Thadou Baptist Church Association, firmly rejecting any suggestion of Naga involvement. ANSAM stated that even leaders of Thadou apex bodies had publicly clarified that the deadly attack was carried out by Kuki militant factions, adding that there was no justification for blaming the Naga community. “The truth is already before the eyes of the world, and there is no justification for falsely implicating the Nagas,” the communiqué stated. Criticising what it described as contradictory statements and misinformation, ANSAM alleged that denials issued by certain organisations were aimed at obscuring facts and diverting attention from accountability. Reaffirming solidarity with the affected families, ANSAM declared that the Naga people would not remain silent until every missing person is accounted for. The association called for immediate, impartial and decisive action from the authorities to trace the missing six Naga men, ensure justice for the victims and their families, and bring all those responsible to justice without fear or favour.
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