Imphal: One deputy chief minister of Manipur has now publicly accused the other's household of killing Naga men, and put the question to Delhi.
Losii Dikho, a three-term Naga People's Front MLA from Mao in Senapati district, told PTI in an interview on Wednesday that he has "no doubt" the Kuki National Front (President), or KNF(P), was involved in the abduction and killing of six Naga men during the hostage crisis of May-June this year. The KNF(P) is headed by Thangboi Kipgen, husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
"She should say, 'I am the deputy chief minister of the state. Why should my husband's organisation be fighting and killing people?'" Dikho said. "She should step down. If she does not want to leave her position, she should immediately tell her husband's organisation to stop fighting and killing Nagas."
Asked what evidence he had, Dikho pointed to people released from captivity. "The people who were subsequently released from abduction also spoke to me. They spoke about the exchange of those who had been abducted and how the releases were arranged. It was very clear to us who was involved."
The killings in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts are under investigation by the National Investigation Agency. Nemcha Kipgen has previously denied allegations of collusion with militants. The allegations have not been established in court.
The KNF(P) is one of the Kuki armed outfits covered by the tripartite Suspension of Operations agreement involving the Centre, the Manipur government and Kuki groups. That pact, renegotiated in September 2025, expired in September this year without renewal, though officials say both sides continue to respect its terms.
Dikho's NPF is a partner in the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, which took office in February. The three top posts were distributed for ethnic balance: Dikho is Naga, Kipgen is Kuki and Khemchand is Meitei.
In late August, Dikho and seven of Manipur's nine Naga MLAs wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action against Nemcha Kipgen, the arrest of Kuki militant leaders allegedly involved in attacks on Nagas, and abrogation of the SoO agreement. Nearly two months on, the legislators are still in government. Asked why, Dikho said, "There are some people trying to establish contact with us and bring about an understanding on this issue. I do not want to disclose who is approaching us at this stage. But there is some movement."
Pressed on whether the Centre was working towards a resolution, he said, "Yes. Some representatives and political agencies are coming." He declined to name them or describe any proposal. On whether Kipgen's removal was non-negotiable, he said, "That depends on the party leadership."
He also backed the security operation at the SoO-designated Sinai camp in Kangpokpi, where forces found only one of 159 registered cadres present before taking control. An audit of all 14 designated camps has been announced.
Assembly elections in the state are due early next year. "If the present situation continues, it will be very difficult," Dikho said.