Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Imphal, Manipur’s capital, on Saturday to demand justice for the alleged abduction and killing of six Naga civilians. The rally, which was organized by the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), began at Tangkhul Baptist Church in Dewlaland and covered a distance of around 4 km before concluding at Manipur Baptist Church in Chingmeirong in Imphal West district. The protesters were vocal in their demands for action against those responsible for the killings, with chants intensifying briefly when the convoy of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh passed through the North AOC area during the rally.
According to ANSAM president Th Angteshang Maring, the march was a reflection of public anger over the killing of the six civilians. This is a mass rally demonstrating the voice of the people demanding justice against the atrocities committed on innocent civilians, Maring told reporters. The six Naga civilians were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on 13 May and were held hostage for nearly a month before their bodies were recovered on 10 June from the vicinity of the village. Maring emphasized that the state and central governments cannot remain silent on the matter and must ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
