September 7, 2026: The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly questioned the prolonged delay in the investigation into the killing of six Naga men at Leilon Vaiphei village, accusing the Manipur government of shielding the alleged perpetrators and undermining the pursuit of justice.
In a statement issued on September 7, UNC Information and Publicity Secretary H. James Hau expressed “profound anguish and outrage” over what the organisation described as an “unreasonable and inordinate delay” in the investigation into the case.
The UNC also strongly objected to recent statements made on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam Singh, alleging that their submissions amounted to shielding the prime accused, Lalboi Vaiphei, Chief of Leilon Vaiphei village, and state police personnel allegedly involved in the incident.
“How sure can the Leader of the House and the concerned Minister be in giving a clean chit to the accused while the investigation is still on?” the UNC questioned.
The council further questioned whether the same reasoning was being applied to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, whose alleged connection to the case has been a major point of contention for the Naga community.
According to the UNC, testimonies from surviving victims and statements by the wives of the deceased are already on record. The organisation alleged that the abduction of the six Naga men on May 13, 2026, followed by their killing at Leilon Vaiphei village, was orchestrated by villagers and Kuki militants belonging to the KNF-P.
The UNC further alleged that KNF-P is headed by the spouse of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. These allegations have not been established through a concluded investigation or judicial finding.
The council argued that alleged conspiracy cannot be determined solely by the physical presence or absence of an accused at the scene of a crime, stressing that allegations of complicity must be investigated on the basis of evidence.
“Prima facie evidences cannot be buried in the whims of political power,” the statement said.
The UNC also accused the state government of failing to give adequate attention to the charter of demands submitted by the organisation, alleging that instead of addressing those demands, the government had chosen to protect alleged perpetrators from prosecution.
A particularly urgent concern raised by the UNC is the continued presence of the mortal remains of the six Naga men in a mortuary.
The council said the families of the deceased have been waiting to perform the last rites and provide their loved ones with a dignified burial, describing the prolonged delay as “unacceptable and inhuman.”
The UNC also welcomed the decision of Naga legislators to abstain from the ongoing 8th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
According to the council, the legislators’ absence was in protest against the killing of innocent civilians, the alleged delay in delivering justice to the six Naga victims and the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen in the Assembly.
The UNC said the legislators’ decision should not be viewed as a routine political protest, but as a reflection of what it described as deep-seated grievances over the handling of the Leilon Vaiphei case.
The organisation said the prolonged failure to conclude the investigation, initiate effective prosecution and deliver justice has intensified public concern and mistrust.
The UNC has called upon both the Manipur government and the Central government to take “appropriate and time-bound actions” on the matter.
Its demands include an impartial investigation, accountability for any delay in the probe, dignified handling and burial of the victims’ mortal remains, and sincere engagement with the charter of demands submitted by the UNC.
The council warned that failure to address the grievances could have “serious political ramifications” in the state.
The UNC concluded by urging both governments to come clean on the matter, address its charter of demands “in the right earnest” and ensure what it described as long-overdue justice for the victims and their families.
Users Today : 562
Total Users : 79498