Manipur deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen has rejected allegations by her Naga counterpart Losii Dikho and eight other Naga MLAs that she and her husband were involved in the ongoing Naga-Kuki clashes, accusing them of making unverified claims that could further damage fragile inter-community trust.
“On March 11, two Kuki-Zo civilians from Thawai Kuki village were abducted. In the effort to negotiate their safe release, 21 Naga travellers were detained by the local public. Even in that painful situation, the 21 Tangkhul Naga detainees were safely and unconditionally released. At least 36 Kuki and Naga people,18 from each community, have been killed since the latest clashes began in February, adding to the unresolved Meitei-Kuki conflict that has killed at least 260 people and displaced 60,000.
“It pains me deeply that fellow elected representatives, including deputy CM Losii Dikho and other MLAs, would make such serious allegations linking my husband and me to attacks against Nagas without first verifying the facts. At a time when families are grieving, communities are afraid, and the state is searching for peace, such accusations do not only hurt me personally; they also hurt the fragile trust that we are all trying to rebuild. These allegations are unverified and contradict everything I have done throughout this crisis. My efforts have always been focused on saving lives, regardless of community or identity. This is not merely a matter of public duty or constitutional responsibility. I made every effort to help secure their safe release and appealed to all stakeholders not to put anyone’s life at risk. Tragically, the two Kuki-Zo civilians were killed, leaving behind grief that no family should ever have to bear. The MLAs also accused Kipgen of switching off her phone when Kuki militants abducted Naga civilians, six of whom were later found dead.
It is also a matter of conscience, humanity, and the value of every innocent life,” she said. The Naga MLAs said they would be unable to continue supporting the Manipur government if the Centre did not act.
