03/09/2026
Good Step Good News
Naga MLAs may pull out if Nemcha is spared, warns Manipur DyCM
After nearly a year of President’s Rule in strife-torn Manipur, the Centre in February appointed Nagalader Losi Dikho and Kuki leader Nemcha Kipgen as deputy CMs to assist Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei, as part of a reconciliation strategy. However, the strategy appears to have made little headway, with Naga-Kuki tensions intensifying. On Monday, all nine Naga MLAs wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing Nemcha and her husband of attacks on Nagas. Amid the escalating Naga-Kuki conflict, Dikho, in an interview with DH’s Sumir Karmakar, warned that the Naga MLAs could “refrain from the government” if Shah does not take immediate action against her.
Many expected the Khemchand government to improve the situation and ensure reconciliation. Why has the situation not improved?
Yes, we have been entrusted with the responsibility of improving the situation in the state. In fact, there was a significant improvement in the law-and-order situation after the new government took charge. However, the Kukis initiated conflict with the Nagas for the second time, further deteriorating the situation. Nemcha did not visit a single Naga village or a Meitei area to carry forward her responsibility. In contrast, Mrs Kimneo, a Kuki MLA from Saikul, accompanied me to resolve the Naga-Kuki crisis at Litian in Ukhrul district, where it first started. Nemcha did not contribute to the government’s peace initiative. She worsened the situation by supporting her husband’s extremist group.
On Monday, you and other Naga MLAs wrote to Shah demanding action against Nemcha. What prompted you to take this step?
We Naga MLAs could not tolerate this any more, which compelled us to come out in this manner. The Nagas have maintained neutrality even during the Kuki-Meitei ethnic crisis and extended maximum support to both communities to maintain peace. During the crisis, Naga people provided shelter and protection to Kukis. After the Kukis ended the conflict with the Meiteis, they started attacking the Nagas at Litian, a Tangkhul Naga area. We advised the Kukis to be more restrained, as being at war with the Meiteis and then the Nagas would be dangerous for them. However, they did not stop and initiated a second conflict with the Nagas.
As a gesture of goodwill, Naga volunteers released 14 Kukis in May. However, the Kuki side did not reciprocate. Instead, six Nagas in their custody were allegedly killed and their bodies dismembered. Nemcha did not utter a word or make any effort to save the six Nagas victims. We are therefore compelled to make our position clear.
What will be your next course of action if Shah does not act on your demands?
We will be compelled to refrain from governing alongside family members of extremists. The central leadership should not treat the views of the Naga MLAs as mere excuses. Accommodating extremist elements in governance will ruin democracy in India.
Nagas recently extended support to the demand for an NRC in Manipur. Why does Manipur need an NRC? How will it help Nagas?
The Manipur crisis is due to illegal immigrants. Implementation of an NRC is a must to save Manipur. Nagas and Meiteis have no land dispute. When these two major indigenous communities understand each other, finding a solution for the state will be easier.
What, according to you, is the way forward to resolve the Manipur conflict?
The way forward is the implementation of the NRC and ensuring that indigenous communities, along with other bona fide citizens of the state, are protected and secure.
