Shillong, Jun 13: A candlelight vigil was held by the Naga Elders Forum Shillong (NEFS) at Khyndailad on Saturday to express solidarity with the grieving families of six Naga men who were allegedly brutally killed in Manipur.
Individuals from various walks of life came together and observed a two-minute silence to honour the memory of the deceased.
NEFS president Lhouvirielie Usou said the incident had come as a shock to the Naga community. “We least expected this to happen. We are all very sad and deeply angry. Many people are upset over what has happened,” he said.
The vice-president of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Vimeyiekho, called for accountability and demanded action against those responsible for the killings. He urged the Government of India to revoke the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups, alleging that Nagas have continued to face violence under the arrangement.
“When we talk about accountability, the perpetrators who have inflicted violence upon the peace-loving Naga people and taken the lives of innocent civilians must be booked and convicted. Action must be taken against those responsible,” he said.
Criticising the Centre’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Manipur, Vimeyiekho alleged that the Government of India had been “lukewarm” in its response.
“If the Government of India had been serious, this issue would not have escalated to this extent. Because of its insincerity, six lives have been lost, many people have been harassed and abducted. If the government continues to remain silent, there could be more casualties. We demand that it immediately assess the situation and take decisive action to prevent further deterioration,” he said.
Echoing similar concerns, Usou said the prolonged violence had left people across the Northeast frustrated. “If everyone is equal as a citizen of India, the government should not be behaving this way. This issue has been continuing for a very long time. It is time for the government to act; otherwise, the situation could worsen. The people of Manipur and the Northeast are already frustrated. Killings are taking place, yet the government and the Centre remain silent,” he said.
He further stated that stronger intervention was needed before the situation spiralled further.
Asked about concerns that the violence could trigger retaliatory actions and further escalation, the NSF leader maintained that the Naga community remained committed to peace.
“We Nagas have demonstrated restraint. We detained 14 individuals and released them safely, which shows that we are peace-loving and care for humanity. However, we cannot continue to allow innocent civilians and Naga people to be subjected to violence and atrocities. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable,” Vimeyiekho said.
The vigil concluded with participants calling for justice for the victims and urging authorities to take immediate steps to restore peace and prevent further loss of life in Manipur.
