Manipur Dy CM Losii Dikho says ‘No Doubt’ KNF(P) involved in Naga killings, demands Nemcha Kipgen’s resignation

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho has alleged that the Kuki National Front (President), headed by the husband of fellow Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, was involved in the killings of six Naga men earlier this year, demanding that Kipgen either resign or use her influence to stop the violence.

In an exclusive interview with PTI on Wednesday, Dikho said he had “no doubt” about the alleged involvement of the militant outfit, citing conversations with people who were released from captivity during the hostage crisis involving Naga and Kuki communities in May and June.

“The people who were subsequently released from abduction also spoke to me. They spoke about the exchange of those who had been abducted and how the releases were arranged. It was very clear to us who was involved. There is no doubt about it,” he said.

The allegations have not been established in court. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating the abduction and killing of the six Naga men in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. Kipgen has previously denied allegations of collusion with militants.

Dikho said Kipgen should publicly question why her husband's organisation was allegedly involved in violence against Nagas.

“She should say, ‘I am the deputy chief minister of the state. Why should my husband's organisation be fighting and killing people?’” he said.

“She should step down. If she does not want to leave her position, she should immediately tell her husband's organisation to stop fighting and killing Nagas,” added Dikho, a three-term Naga People's Front (NPF) MLA from Mao in Senapati district.

Naga MLAs seek action against Nemcha Kipgen

Dikho's remarks have exposed a widening rift between the two deputy chief ministers, who were appointed when the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh took office in February.

The appointments of Dikho, a Naga; Kipgen, a Kuki; and Khemchand, a Meitei, reflected efforts to maintain ethnic representation in the violence-hit state.

In late August, Dikho and seven other Naga MLAs wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action against Kipgen, the arrest of Kuki militant leaders allegedly involved in attacks on Nagas, and the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

Kipgen's husband, Thangboi Kipgen, heads the KNF(P), one of the armed outfits covered by the tripartite SoO arrangement involving the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki militant groups.

The agreement, renegotiated in September 2025, expired in September this year without renewal. Officials have said that despite the absence of a fresh agreement, the Centre and the Kuki outfits continue to respect its terms.

Dikho said the Naga legislators remained concerned about the continuing attacks on their community and warned that their support for the BJP-led government could become difficult to sustain if the violence persisted.

Centre's representatives reaching out to Naga legislators

Dikho said efforts were underway to address the concerns raised by the Naga MLAs, with representatives and political agencies approaching them to seek an understanding.

“There are some people trying to establish contact with us and bring about an understanding on this issue. I do not want to disclose who is approaching us at this stage. But there is some movement,” he said.

Asked whether the Centre was working towards a resolution, Dikho replied, “Yes. Some representatives and political agencies are coming.”

He declined to identify those involved in the discussions or disclose any proposals under consideration.

On whether Kipgen's removal was non-negotiable, Dikho said the decision rested with the party leadership. He maintained that her appointment had been determined by the central leadership, limiting Khemchand's role in the matter.

“I believe our home minister, prime minister and leaders in Delhi are listening,” he said, adding that he understood it could take time for the leadership to act.

Dikho also alleged that attempts to contact Kipgen when the six Naga men were still missing had failed.

“When those six Naga brothers were abducted, before they were killed, we tried to communicate with her, but we failed. That is why we are so unhappy with her,” he said.

Manipur election prospects remain uncertain

The renewed Naga-Kuki confrontation has added another layer to the ethnic conflict in Manipur, which began between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023.

Asked whether conditions were conducive to holding Assembly elections, due early next year, Dikho said the prevailing situation could make the exercise difficult.

“If the present situation continues, it will be very difficult. I have said this earlier, and I still feel the same way,” he said.

However, he suggested that announcing elections could help ease tensions, arguing that many people wanted to participate in the democratic process.

“The atmosphere could change because people want to participate in elections,” he said.

Dikho also speculated that the delay in expanding Khemchand's Cabinet might be linked to the central leadership's assessment of the upcoming elections, while clarifying that he did not know the reason.

Reconciliation efforts and security operations

Dikho said the government was engaging with community and church leaders as part of efforts to promote reconciliation. Some Kuki groups had responded positively, but the discussions had yet to produce concrete outcomes.

He also backed the security operation at the designated Sinai camp in Kangpokpi, where security forces reportedly found only one of 159 registered cadres present before taking control of the premises. Authorities have announced an audit of all 14 designated camps.

On allegations by Kuki organisations that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN(IM), was involved in the violence, Dikho said he had not seen evidence of official or large-scale participation by the outfit.

However, he did not rule out the possibility that individual members could have supported village volunteers.

“There could be NSCN members among those supporting their own villagers. We cannot deny that possibility completely,” he said.