The physical assault on executives of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) at the Gamgiphai check post on December 22, allegedly by Kuki volunteers, has ignited widespread condemnation from Naga civil society organizations, who are demanding accountability and swift justice. According to the SDSA, its leaders were harassed, attacked, and subjected to unwarranted questioning by individuals manning the check post. The assailants also vandalized a vehicle bearing the SDSA nameplate, a symbol of the association’s community standing and responsibilities. The incident has drawn strong reactions from various Naga organizations, including the Naga People Organisation (NPO), Mao Students’ Union (MSU), Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM), Senapati District Women Association Manipur (SDWA), Naga Students Union Chandel (NSUC), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Maram Students’ Union (MSU), and Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation Manipur (RNSOM).
Describing the attack as “barbaric” and “unjustifiable,” the NPO emphasized that the assault violated the principles of law and order. It further accused the perpetrators of undermining the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NPO and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU). “This attack is a betrayal of trust and raises concerns about the commitment of certain Kuki groups to uphold agreements fostering peace and mutual respect,” the NPO stated. The Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM) echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the assault as a breach of agreements that emphasize coexistence and harmony. “These repeated acts of violence undermine trust and cast doubt on the effectiveness of the MoUs. We demand accountability and immediate steps to prevent such incidents in the future,” the PNTM asserted.
This incident comes just a month after the November 21 agreement between the CoTU and NPO, which aimed to ensure the safety of Naga people in Kuki-majority areas. The SDSA has described the attack as a direct challenge to these agreements and a severe blow to inter-community relations. Naga civil society groups have called for immediate legal action against the perpetrators and measures to prevent further violence. They reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence and urged authorities to act decisively to restore trust and harmony among the communities.
