The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has issued a four-day ultimatum to the Manipur government, demanding immediate action to trace and secure the release of six Liangmai Naga hostages who were allegedly abducted by Kuki militant groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
The decision was taken during an Emergency Presidential Council Meeting of ANSAM held on May 24, which was attended by current and former leaders of the organisation. The meeting reviewed the security situation in the state and discussed the abduction of 18 Liangmai Naga individuals and residents of Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
According to ANSAM, the abduction took place in broad daylight near the Leimakhong-based 57 Mountain Division area. While some of the abducted persons were later released, six hostages, including two pastors, are yet to be traced.
The association expressed concern over what it described as the failure of the state government to take effective steps to establish the whereabouts of the remaining hostages despite repeated appeals, public demonstrations and statements by Naga civil society organisations.
ANSAM said the government has been given four days from May 29 to determine the condition and location of the six hostages and ensure their safe return. The organisation warned that if no action is taken within the stipulated period, the Naga community would be compelled to collectively boycott the present government.
Addressing the media, ANSAM president Th. Angteshang Maring said the association would announce further steps if the government failed to respond within the deadline.
“After the four-day ultimatum, we will declare a boycott against the government and we will come up with a line of action, where we will appeal to the Naga people to continue supporting the decision of the association,” Maring said.
The organisation also stated that it may urge Naga legislators supporting the current government to withdraw their support in the interest of the security and welfare of the Naga people.
ANSAM further raised concerns regarding Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and questioned both the state and central governments over what it termed inadequate action against individuals allegedly linked to the abduction case.
The association also criticised recent remarks made by Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on incidents along the Indo-Myanmar border, alleging that authorities had failed to adequately address attacks on Naga villages in Kamjong district earlier this month.
As part of its resolutions, ANSAM demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for a series of killings involving Naga civilians and church leaders in different parts of the state. It also called for the immediate abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement between the Government of India and Kuki militant groups, alleging that the arrangement had failed to prevent violence against civilians.
The association appealed to both the Centre and the Manipur government to take urgent measures to secure the release of the six hostages and prevent any further deterioration of the law and order situation in the state.
