‘Ask your husband to stop’: Manipur Deptuy CM Losii Dikho's appeals Nemcha Kipgen amid Naga civilian killings

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho has urged his cabinet colleague Nemcha Kipgen to intervene in the killings of Naga civilians, asking her to ensure that her husband stops the alleged attacks, amid renewed violence in parts of the state.

Dikho made the remarks while responding to questions from the media on a recent joint statement by Kuki civil society organisations urging Kipgen to travel to Imphal and regularly discharge her official responsibilities from the state capital.

Dikho was speaking on the sidelines of a conclave on Climate-Resilient Springshed: Research, Practice and Policy, organised by the Manipur government's Department of Environment and Climate Change.

He said the state government and the people wanted Kipgen to return to Imphal and carry out her official duties from there. However, he also called on her to address the continued violence against Naga civilians.

The remarks come amid reports of renewed attacks in Kamjong, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts, in which at least seven Naga civilians, including a Nepali, were reportedly killed in ambushes.

The killings have intensified tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur, with allegations being raised against armed groups operating in the conflict-affected region.

Dikho and other Naga legislators had earlier demanded Kipgen's removal from the state cabinet, citing alleged links between her husband and the Kuki National Front–President (KNF-P), an armed group covered by the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement.

The demand followed the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district in June.

Naga legislators had alleged that the killings, the mutilation of the victims' bodies and other attacks were carried out by the Kuki National Army–President (KNA-P) and other armed groups under the SoO arrangement. They also alleged that Kipgen's husband was among those responsible for the violence.

These allegations have been directed at the groups and individuals named by the legislators. The claims against Kipgen's husband have not been independently established in the information available.