Leilon Vaiphei killing has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Manipur, with all nine Naga legislators abstaining from the final sitting of the ongoing Assembly session on Monday, September 7. The MLAs demanded justice for six Naga civilians who were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei in Kangpokpi district and later found dead. They also sought action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen pending completion of the investigation.
The protest cut across party lines and came amid growing disagreement over the handling of the case. Naga MLA and Naga People’s Front leader Awangbow Newmai announced the decision to boycott the Assembly proceedings, saying the legislators could not participate in the session while justice had not been delivered.
Naga MLAs protest Leilon Vaiphei killing
The six Naga civilians were allegedly abducted on May 13 from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district. Their bodies were recovered on June 10, nearly a month after the incident, during a joint search operation by security forces. The killings have since remained a major point of tension between communities in the conflict-affected state.
According to the Naga legislators, 18 people were allegedly abducted from the area on May 13. While 12 people were subsequently released, the six Naga men were later found dead.
The legislators have repeatedly demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible. They have also questioned why people named in the First Information Report, including the Leilon Vaiphei village chief, had allegedly not been arrested despite the passage of several months.
Dispute over Home Minister’s statement
Monday’s boycott followed objections to a statement made in the Assembly by Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam concerning the case.
Naga legislators said they could not accept the clarification that certain individuals, including a policeman and the village chief, were not involved while the investigation was still underway. Newmai questioned how such conclusions could be made before the completion of the inquiry.
The case is also being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), according to reports. The Naga MLAs argued that the investigation should be allowed to establish the facts rather than ruling out possible involvement prematurely.
Demand for action against Nemcha Kipgen
A major part of the Naga legislators’ protest was their demand for action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
The MLAs alleged that her husband, Thangboi Kipgen, a leader associated with the Kuki National Front-Progressive (KNF-P), was linked to the incident. They cited alleged eyewitness accounts while calling for a thorough investigation.
The allegations against Thangboi Kipgen, the KNF-P and Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen have not been established in court and remain subject to investigation and due process. Nemcha Kipgen had earlier condemned the killing of the six Naga civilians and described the incident as a heinous act of violence.
The Naga legislators are now demanding that Nemcha Kipgen be removed or suspended from the post of Deputy Chief Minister until the investigation is completed. Their demand adds a significant political dimension to the already sensitive case.
Earlier demands sent to Amit Shah
The latest Assembly boycott follows earlier efforts by Naga legislators to seek intervention from the Centre.
In late August, Naga MLAs wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action against Kuki-Zo leaders and armed groups they alleged were involved in attacks on Naga civilians. Their demands included action against KNF-P leader Thangboi Kipgen and measures against those allegedly responsible for the killings.
The legislators have also raised broader concerns about the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki armed groups. They have called for stronger action over alleged violations and for accountability in cases involving civilian deaths.
The Joint Tribes’ Council had earlier demanded arrests in the case, action against the KNF-P and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen on moral grounds.
Political pressure grows in Manipur
The decision to abstain from the Assembly highlights the continuing political and ethnic tensions surrounding the Leilon Vaiphei killing. The legislators said their boycott was intended to register their opposition to what they described as the failure to deliver justice.
The incident has become a major test for the state government as authorities face demands from different communities for accountability and security. With the investigation continuing, the immediate challenge remains establishing the sequence of events, identifying those responsible and ensuring that any prosecution is based on evidence.
The Naga MLAs have made clear that they will continue pressing for action until they are satisfied that the Leilon Vaiphei killing case is being investigated fairly and that those responsible are brought before the law. The developments are likely to keep the issue at the centre of political debate in Manipur in the days ahead.
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