Naga youth body Khanuithot-Khon has accused the UNC leadership of acting unilaterally and failing to secure safeguards or reciprocal assurances in the detainee release, while demanding accountability, resignations, and justice for the killings.
BY PC Bureau
June 11, 2026 — The United Naga Council’s (UNC) decision to unconditionally release 14 Kuki-Zo detainees has triggered a serious internal crisis among Naga organisations in Manipur, with the influential youth body Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth) launching a sharp attack on the leadership and declaring a complete non-cooperation campaign.
Tensions escalated further on Thursday after unidentified miscreants vandalised the Manipur unit headquarters of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) at Liangmai Taphou in Senapati district. The office was reportedly ransacked during the night of June 10 and found damaged the following morning, with furniture broken and documents scattered. The incident came amid heightened anger in Naga areas following the recovery of six mutilated bodies believed to be Naga civilians.
Police have launched an investigation into the vandalism. No arrests have been made so far.
READ: Gym Trainer Gunned Down in Haryana While Dozens Looked On
Mob sets afire properties of NPF Manipur head office in Senapati. NPF allegedly had a role in the release of 14 Kukis yesterday. Trouble broke out after the mortal remains of 6 Naga ‘hostages’ were recovered today @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @jayanthjacob pic.twitter.com/M0r5YLhSM9
— Prasanta Mazumdar (@prasmaz_tnie) June 10, 2026
Khanuithot-Khon Issues Strong Rebuttal
In a detailed press statement dated June 11 (Ref. No. KK/06/37), Khanuithot-Khon accused the UNC leadership of acting unilaterally and failing to safeguard community interests in the handling of the 14 detainees.
The group alleged that the UNC ignored prior warnings issued by youth bodies and proceeded with what it described as a “one-sided” decision without securing any reciprocal assurances or verification regarding the condition of missing Naga individuals.
The statement also rejected the UNC’s subsequent shutdown call, describing it as an attempt to deflect accountability.
On the recovery of the six bodies, the youth body expressed strong anger, stating that the incident confirmed earlier fears and demanded responsibility from those involved in the decision-making process.
Khanuithot-Khon reiterated an earlier warning issued on June 1, saying the outcome reflected what it had previously cautioned against in its communications with the UNC leadership.
The group further accused the UNC of effectively forfeiting leverage by releasing the 14 detainees without securing what it termed “concrete assurances or outcomes in return.”
Call for Non-Cooperation and Leadership Change
Khanuithot-Khon issued a directive urging the Naga public not to participate in the UNC’s shutdown call and announced a total non-cooperation stance against the council’s instructions.
It called for:
- The immediate resignation of the entire UNC executive body
- Full accountability from all actors allegedly involved in pressuring the UNC into the decision
- Arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction and killings of six Naga civilians
The group also urged village authorities, student bodies, and civil society organisations to disregard directives issued by the UNC until accountability measures are taken.
The crisis follows the recovery of six bodies believed to be Naga civilians abducted on May 13, an incident that has triggered widespread protests across Naga-inhabited districts of Manipur.
The UNC had earlier called for a 24-hour shutdown to protest the killings, but its decision to release 14 Kuki-Zo detainees as part of a negotiated arrangement has now become a major point of internal conflict
Deepening Divide and Security Concerns
The developments highlight widening differences between the UNC and more hardline youth factions within Naga civil society, with disagreements over negotiation strategies and accountability measures.
The vandalism at the NPF office has added to tensions, though no injuries were reported.
Security forces are maintaining heightened vigilance in affected areas as the situation remains volatile, with fears of further protests, counter-shutdowns, and unrest in the coming days.
