Naga Body Rejects Kuki Zo Apology Over Six Hostages Killing Says Justice Cant Be Replaced By Rhetoric

Guwahati: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has rejected the apology issued by the Kuki-Zo Council over the killing of six Naga civilians abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village, saying it neither constitutes an apology nor an admission of the crime and insisting that justice cannot be replaced by public statements. ANSAM in a statement stated It expresses our strongest indignation and unequivocally repudiates the so-called apology issued by the self-style leaders of Kuki-Zo Council on the brutally murdering of the Six Naga Hostages after abduction, whilst seriously viewing that the statement in question neither constitutes an apology nor an admission of the unlawful and inhumane crime committed by the KNF(P) and Lailon Vaiphei Kuki Villagers on 13th May, 2026. On the contrary, it tantamount to direct challenge and insult to the Naga people and reflects an alarming disposition of arrogance and perceived supremacy directed against the master of their land. The Association categorically asserts, no apology can be deemed credible, sincere and acceptable until the perpetrators responsible for the abduction, torture, mutilation and brutal killing of the six innocent Naga hostages are identified, apprehended and punished in accordance with the rule of law. Justice cannot be supplanted by rhetoric, nor can accountability be substituted by carefully crafted declarations bereft of legal consequence. The heinous crime against the six innocent Naga hostages was perpetrated in Leilon Vaiphei Kuki Village, situated within the ancestral Naga territory, a land inherited and preserved through generations of Naga forefathers. The victims were abducted, held captive, subjected to unspeakable cruelty and ultimately slain upon Naga soil. This atrocity constitutes not merely an offence against six individuals but a grievous assault upon the dignity, security and collective existence of the Naga people within their own ancestral land. We seriously views the statement not as an act of repentance but as an affront that aggravates the pain and anguish already suffered by the Naga people. The Association further seeks clarification as to whether the apology issued by the so-called Kuki-Zo Council is tendered on behalf of those directly involved in the killing of the six Naga hostages, or whether they themselves possess responsibility and association with the barbaric crime for which they now seek forgiveness. Equally pertinent is the question of whether those issuing the statement possess any legitimate mandate to speak on behalf of all constituent communities grouped under the Kuki-Zo nomenclatureANSAM further reiterates that the Nagas have already categorically clarified their non-involvement in the killing of the three Thadou church leaders. The Association earnestly calls upon the Government of Manipur and the Government of India to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with utmost seriousness and urgency. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body representing the Kuki-Zo tribal community, on Thursday publicly expressed regret over what it described as a grave mistake in the killing of six Naga hostages in Kangpokpi district.KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet apologised for the incident and called for a fair, transparent and impartial investigation into all acts of violence linked to the continuing ethnic unrest in the state.At least 50 people from the Kuki and Naga communities were held hostage by different armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the violent incidents of May 13, during which three church leaders were killed and four others injured in Kangpokpi district.Around 30 individuals from both communities were released on May 14 and May 15 following sustained efforts by the authorities, community leaders, and several civil society organisations.On June 10, the remaining 14 Kuki villagers were released and handed over to the police at a police station in Senapati district by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People's Organisation (NPO).The following day (June 11), the bodies of six Naga hostages were recovered from a forested area near Kharam Vaiphei village, a predominantly Kuki-Zo tribal settlement under the Saitu-Gamphazol Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district.The KZC Chairman admitted that the Kuki-Zo people made a grave mistake in killing the six Naga civilians, adding that it was done out of emotion. He strongly condemned it and apologised on behalf of his people.Describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable and stating that it was neither authorised nor approved by any Kuki-Zo political or community leadership, the tribal leader demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice through a fair, transparent and impartial investigation