Naga Women’s Union Releases Dossier on Alleged Violence in Leilon Vaiphei–Leimakhong Area, Seeks Review of SoO Pact

Senapati, June 4: The Naga Women’s Union (NWU) has released a detailed three-page press statement alleging a series of violent incidents, intimidation, abductions, arson attacks, and killings targeting Naga communities in the Leilon Vaiphei–Leimakhong region since the outbreak of the Manipur ethnic conflict in May 2023. In the statement titled “Leilon Vaiphei Villages: Leimakhong Stretch Becomes a Hotspot of Terrorism,” the Union claimed that Naga minority villages in the area have faced increasing insecurity due to activities allegedly carried out by Kuki militants and armed groups. The NWU stated that the report is based on first-hand accounts from victims, village leaders, and field visits conducted by the organization. According to the Union, the incidents have created a climate of fear among residents, affecting normal social and economic life. It alleged that repeated acts of violence, intimidation, hostage-taking, and destruction of property have forced villagers to live under constant threat. The NWU listed a series of incidents dating from March 2023 to May 2026, including the burning of homes, attacks on villagers, alleged abductions, assaults on community leaders, hostage-taking, and killings. Among the incidents highlighted were the destruction of a JCB excavator and vehicle in March 2023, the burning of a widow’s residence in June 2023, alleged abductions of Naga civilians in 2024, attacks on Konsakhul Naga village in April 2025, and the reported hostage-taking of 18 civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village in May 2026. The Union also referred to the killing of farmer Wilson Thanga Chiru of Dolang village on May 13, 2026, and the ambush of three men inspecting a community water pipeline on May 31, 2026, in which one person was injured. Additionally, the NWU cited incidents involving members of other communities, including the disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a Military Engineering Services (MES) Project Supervisor, in November 2024, and the killing of three Thadou Baptist religious leaders between Kotzim and Kotlen villages on May 13, 2026. The organization expressed concern over what it described as the unresolved fate of six Naga hostages allegedly taken by militants operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework. It appealed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India, and the Manipur Government to urgently ascertain the status of the missing individuals and ensure their safe return or provide clarity to their families. Citing the incidents outlined in its report, the Naga Women’s Union called for an immediate review of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups. The organization argued that continued violence in the region has raised serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of the arrangement and urged authorities to take appropriate measures to restore peace and security. The statement was issued by the Information and Publicity Cell of the Naga Women’s Union.