Naga MLAs in Manipur Write to Amit Shah, Seek 'Action' Against Deputy CM
New Delhi: At least eight MLAs of Manipur belonging to Naga tribes have asked Home Minister Amit Shah to "immediately abrogate" Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki-Zo armed groups in the state.
In a letter to Shah, which is circulating online without a date or the signature of one of the MLAs, they also seek action against Manipur Deputy Chief Minister, Nimchen Kipgen. They allege that her husband, Thangboi Kipgen, controls cadres who are responsible for recent killings of Nagas in the state and attacks on Naga villages.
"[We implore your honour to initiate the following urgent actions:] Immediate abrogation of the SoO Agreement with all Kuki militant groups, in view of repeated violations and acts of terror against civilians," the MLAs write.
SOOs are tripartite agreements signed between militant groups, the Union government and the Manipur state government that involve laying down of arms as a peaceful settlement of political issues continues.
The Naga MLAs' letter to the Home Minister, Amit Shah, about recent attacks on the community by alleged Kuki militants.
The MLAs write that Thangboi Kipgen is involved with the Kuki National Front - Progressive (KNF-P), which is further led "self-styled Gen 'Tiger' Kipgen of KNF-P, [who] is a psychopath whose modus operandi is chopping up innocent victims into pieces and secretly burying [them] in different locations".
"He ['Tiger' Kipgen] must be apprehended and punished as per [the] law of the country," they write to Shah.
They allege that Nemcha Kipgen's office is "colluding" with the Kuki militant groups "led by her husband".
Their letter refers to four incidents of violence against the Naga individuals in recent months – four killed on August 27, two on April 18, two killed on August 14 and six found dead in June.
The six found dead had been abducted at least a month earlier and were discovered by a Manipur Police, National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) team in Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district. Two persons have been arrested in the case. The NIA is now in charge of this investigation.
The Kuki-Inpi, the socio-political apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal groups, has denied any role in the killing of the six Nagas. However, Kuki Zo Council chairman Henlianthang Thanglet "apologised" for the killing.
“I admit the Kuki-Zo people made a grave mistake in killing the six Naga civilians. It was done out of emotion. I strongly condemn it. I am very sorry and apologise on behalf of my people,” he had told a press conference on 25 June, reports The Print.
A day after the discovery of the six dead in Kangpoki, two Kuki men were found dead. Three tribal church leaders were also killed on the same day as the ten men were abducted. At the time, a blame game had ensued between the Kuki and Meitei groups over these deaths.
The circumstances of all the killings across communities in Manipur since the May 2023 violence remains uncertain.
The KNF-P is under National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation since at least 2025, when a special court accepted its evidence that a man, "suspected to be a Kuki militant called 'Tiger', a commander of the KNF-P", had claimed in a viral YouTube video that he and his men attacked the CRPF and burnt down houses on November 11 [2025] in Manipur.
The MLAs' letter states that those who have taken responsibility for attacks must be "immediately arrested", as the peace process has otherwise become "difficult to comprehend" in light of these developments.
They write that if their demands are not followed through by the Union government, "we, the undersigned Naga legislators, shall be unable to defend or adequately respond to the challenges [questions] raised by the public concerning our continued support to the government of Manipur".
Violence and tensions have simmered in Manipur since the May 2023 violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, from which the Naga individuals and villages remained mostly insulated until 2026.
This article went live on August thirty-first, two thousand twenty six, at twelve minutes past six in the evening.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
