Eleven tribal youth organisations and student bodies in Dimapur on Saturday declared the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur an attack on the entire Naga community, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible and calling for unity across tribal and state boundaries.
The organisations, representing different Naga tribes and regions, came together at a joint consultative meeting convened by the Zeliang Youth Organisation Dimapur (ZYOD) and the Zeliang Youth Organisation Chümoukedima at the Zeliang Community Welfare Building, Eros Lane.
Representatives of the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO), Dimapur Lotha Youth Organisation (DLYO), Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU), Rongmei Youth Club Dimapur, Dimapur Rengma Youth Organisation, Tenyimi Youth Organisation Dimapur, Western Chakhesang Youth Organisation, Western Naga Youth Front, Chakro Angami Kuda Youth Organisation (CAKYO), Zeliang Youth Organisation Dimapur and Zeliang Youth Organisation Chümoukedima attended the meeting.
Addressing the media, ZYOD general secretary Rampau Haining said the organisations had gathered to send a united message that Nagas stand together in seeking justice for the six victims and their families.
He said the groups were deeply shocked not only by the killing of the six civilians but also by reports that their bodies had been mutilated and dismembered.
Calling for swift action, Haining urged law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings.
He informed that the meeting resolved to submit a joint representation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio through the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur on June 15.
Referring to the recent hostage crisis in Manipur, Haining said Chief Minister Rio, church organisations and others had appealed for the safe release of 14 Kuki hostages, who were subsequently released by Naga groups.
He added that within 24 hours of their release, the bodies of the six Naga civilians were recovered.
Haining maintained that justice should not be limited to financial compensation but must include the arrest and punishment of those responsible under the law.
“Today, the Naga youth stand united and send a clear message to the perpetrators not to test their patience further. This is the time for unity beyond tribal lines and state boundaries,” he said.
ZYOD president Idizeung Reunim said the killings should not be viewed merely as a Zeliangrong issue but as a tragedy affecting the entire Naga community.
“This is not about one tribe. It concerns all Nagas, irrespective of where they live,” he said, urging Nagas in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere to remain united.
Questioning how such an incident could occur, Reunim sought accountability from the authorities and demanded transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding the killings.
He also appealed to the public to view the incident from a humanitarian perspective rather than through political or tribal lenses.
While strongly condemning the killings, Reunim said the Naga community was not calling for civilians from the Kuki community to be targeted, but stressed that justice must be delivered and those responsible held accountable.
The organisations maintained that the killing of the six civilians had united Naga youth bodies across tribal affiliations and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing justice for the victims.
