Dimapur: Disturbed by the recent killings and abduction of Naga civilians in several districts of Manipur, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Friday said “no act of hostility can intimidate the Nagas”.Condemning what it described as an “outrageous” and “inhuman ambush” on church leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association between Kotzin and Kotler in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on May 13, the federation said three church leaders were killed and five others grievously injured while returning from Churachandpur.The NSF also strongly condemned the deadly attack on innocent Chiru Naga civilians in the Joujangtek area of Noney district on the same day, in which Wilson Thanga was mercilessly killed on the spot and his wife critically injured.Further, the federation denounced the alleged abduction of two church members — Peter Kileisie Poji of the Pochury Naga community and Aching Paul of the Rongmei Naga community — at Saparmeina in Senapati district on the night of May 13, while they were travelling from Don Bosco Imphal to Maram.The NSF expressed deep concern over reports that nearly 18 innocent Nagas from Konsakhul village were held hostage by individuals from Leilon Vaiphei village. While the two church brothers and 12 women hostages were reportedly released, the federation said the atrocities perpetrated against the Nagas remain unresolved.It demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining Naga hostages unharmed by the perpetrators. Reiterating that peace remains a core concern for the Nagas, the NSF said the indiscriminate killings and abductions of innocent civilians have “liquidated all sense of humanity.”It questioned the continued inaction of both the Manipur and Central governments, despite recurring attacks that continue to claim innocent lives.“While the Naga people do not condone violence, neither shall we kneel as silent spectators while injustice burns before our eyes,” the NSF stated, adding that any provocation or attack against one Naga would be regarded as an attack against all Nagas.
