Kangpokpi, August 8: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh faced a black-flag protest on Saturday as he travelled towards Kangpokpi district, with villagers demanding justice for six Naga civilians whose bodies were recovered nearly three months after they were allegedly abducted.
Hundreds of villagers from Naga and Meitei communities gathered along National Highway-2 near Makhan village as the Chief Minister’s convoy passed through the area. Protesters waved black flags and burned tyres, expressing anger over the delay in the investigation into the deaths.
The six Naga men had gone missing in May amid heightened tensions in Manipur. Their mortal remains were recovered on June 10, nearly a month after they were allegedly abducted. The case has since become a major concern for Naga organisations and the families of the victims.
The killings followed an earlier incident in Kangpokpi district in which three church leaders were ambushed and killed on May 13. The subsequent hostage crisis involved members of the Naga and Kuki communities, further increasing tensions in the region.
The recovery of the six bodies triggered protests and demands for swift action against those responsible. Naga groups have repeatedly criticised what they describe as the slow pace of the investigation and have sought justice for the victims.
The Manipur government has maintained that those responsible will not be spared. Chief Minister Khemchand Singh had earlier said that the case concerning the six Nagas would be investigated by the National Investigation Agency and that anyone found responsible, regardless of their position, would face the law.
The latest protest came as the Chief Minister travelled through the region for official engagements. The demonstration reflected the continuing anger among sections of the local population, despite efforts by the state government to restore peace and improve relations between different communities.
The burning of tyres temporarily disrupted movement along the highway, while protesters used black flags as a visible sign of mourning and dissatisfaction. Security personnel were deployed in the area to manage the situation and ensure that the Chief Minister’s convoy could pass safely.
The incident highlights the fragile security situation in Manipur, where tensions between communities have continued even as authorities push for dialogue and normalcy.
For the families of the six victims, the demand remains straightforward: a credible investigation, identification and arrest of those responsible, and justice for their loved ones.
The black flags along NH-2 served as a reminder that, despite political efforts towards reconciliation, unresolved cases of violence continue to fuel anger and mistrust in parts of Manipur.
