The Leilon Vaiphei case has triggered fresh anger in Manipur, with Naga representatives warning of intensified protests if authorities fail to deliver justice for six Naga civilians allegedly abducted and killed in May.
The warning came during a protest at Khwairamband Ima Market in Imphal on Sunday, September 6. Participants demanded accountability for victims of the wider ethnic conflict and pressed the government to act in the Leilon Vaiphei case.
Naga group warns of escalation
The protest was jointly organised by women vendors of Khwairamband Ima Market, the Joint Tribe Council of Coordination Committee Imphal Area and Save Indigenous People of Manipur. Women from different Naga tribes also took part.
During the demonstration, Naga Humanitarian Aid Committee co-convenor Amandai Thaimei criticised the government’s handling of the case. He warned that families and community organisations could take the bodies of the six victims to the official residences of the Chief Minister and Home Minister if the investigation continued without satisfactory action.
Thaimei also warned of a possible escalation if indigenous communities continued to feel unprotected. His remarks included a warning that some sections could consider armed resistance. The allegations and threats made during the protest could not be independently verified.
Leilon Vaiphei case under NIA probe
The Leilon Vaiphei case concerns the alleged abduction and killing of six Liangmai Naga men in Kangpokpi district.
The six were among about 18 people allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13 while returning from a wedding ceremony. Twelve people were subsequently released, while the six men were later found dead. Their bodies were recovered on June 10 after a major search operation involving security forces.
The National Investigation Agency is investigating the case. On September 3, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the Manipur Assembly that four suspects had been arrested. He also said four other suspected individuals had been identified and remained at large.
Four arrests announced in Assembly
The latest official update has added to the debate surrounding the Leilon Vaiphei case.
According to the Home Minister, the investigation has identified additional suspects based on information obtained from those arrested. Security agencies are continuing efforts to trace the remaining accused.
However, the government has rejected some allegations made by Naga organisations about specific individuals. Konthoujam said there was no concrete information establishing the involvement of the Kuki National Front-P in the killings.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also stressed the difference between public allegations and findings established through investigation. He said the NIA found that the Leilon Vaiphei village chief, whose arrest had been demanded by some groups, was in Guwahati for medical treatment before the incident.
Families question the investigation
The Leilon Vaiphei case has also faced criticism from victims’ families.
Families have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the NIA investigation, particularly findings concerning the village chief and a police constable. They have questioned whether the probe has adequately established responsibility for the killings.
At the same time, Naga organisations have continued to demand accountability. Earlier protests included candlelight vigils and rallies calling for justice for the six victims.
Protest pressure grows in Manipur
The latest demonstration shows that the Leilon Vaiphei case remains a sensitive issue months after the killings.
The protest on Sunday also sought justice for people killed or missing during the wider conflict that began in May 2023. Tensions rose during the demonstration after protesters attempted to take out a rally, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
For the government, the immediate challenge is to maintain public order while ensuring that the investigation proceeds without interference. For the victims’ families, however, the central demand remains clear: those responsible must be identified and prosecuted through due process.
The Leilon Vaiphei case is therefore likely to remain a major point of concern as the NIA continues its investigation and Naga groups press for faster justice. Any further delay could increase tensions, making transparent communication and lawful action increasingly important.
