Hundreds of people gathered in Tamenglong district headquarters on Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil to mourn six Naga civilians who were killed amid escalating ethnic tensions in Manipur and to demand justice for the victims and their families.
The vigil was jointly organised by the Town Churches Union (TCU) and the Zeliangrong Baptist Churches Council (ZBCC). Church leaders, congregation members and residents from across the district took part in the programme, expressing grief, solidarity and condemnation over the killings.
The event came days after the bodies of six Liangmai/Zeliangrong Naga men were recovered on June 10 near Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district. The victims had been abducted on May 13 from Leilon Vaiphei village during a hostage crisis that followed the ambush killing of three Kuki-Thadou church leaders earlier that day.
The deceased were identified as Rev. Dr. Manu Thiumai, Pastor Kenpibow (also referred to as Pr. Kenpibou), Phenrongwibou, Phenrilungbou (or Phenroungwi), Dilip Thiumai and Kaliwangbou (or Kaliwangbou Abonmai). Reports said the bodies were found in a highly mutilated and dismembered state, triggering widespread outrage.
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Pastor Guigongdai Pamei described the killings as “inhumane and merciless” and urged both the state and central governments to take decisive action to prevent such incidents in the future. Participants offered prayers for the victims, for peace in the region and for accountability. Candles were lit as a symbol of mourning and hope amid the continuing violence.
The abduction took place against the backdrop of growing Naga-Kuki tensions in 2026, in addition to the larger Meitei-Kuki conflict that has affected Manipur since May 2023. The violence has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced tens of thousands of people.
Following the killing of three Kuki church leaders, including figures associated with the Thadou Baptist Association, armed groups reportedly took dozens of hostages from both communities. While many women and other hostages were later released through the efforts of civil society groups, the six Naga men remained missing. Naga organisations have alleged that they were handed over to Kuki militants linked to the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) faction operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho has blamed SoO militants for the abductions and killings. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating the case and has assured action against those responsible. However, Naga organisations have expressed dissatisfaction, citing what they describe as government inaction.
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, has imposed a 24-hour shutdown across Naga areas and submitted memoranda to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Minister. The organisation has demanded the abrogation of SoO agreements with Kuki groups, the declaration of KNF-P as a terrorist organisation, the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killings, including specific individuals and a village chief, and the resignation of a deputy chief minister.
The UNC and the victims’ families initially refused to claim the bodies until their demands were addressed, reflecting deep mistrust and anger within the community.
Similar candlelight vigils have been held in Ukhrul, Imphal, Delhi and Shillong. In Delhi, nearly 1,000 people gathered under the banner of the Naga Students’ Union Delhi. The events drew support from members of the Naga community as well as some Meitei and other civil society groups. Joint appeals from Naga and Meitei organisations have also called for swift justice.
Naga-Kuki clashes have a long history, with conflicts in the 1990s resulting in hundreds of deaths and large-scale displacement. Observers fear the latest violence could further draw Naga communities into the wider ethnic conflict that continues to challenge security and governance in Manipur.
As the vigil concluded in Tamenglong on June 14, participants renewed their call for justice, reconciliation and lasting peace. Community leaders stressed that such acts of brutality must be universally condemned and said accountability, dialogue and inclusive governance are essential to ending the cycle of violence in Manipur.
