Imphal, June 26: A day after the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) publicly apologised for the killing of six abducted Naga civilians and sought an impartial probe into the violence, two prominent Naga organisations rejected the apology, insisting that justice and accountability must come before reconciliation.
The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said the apology was unacceptable unless those responsible for the abduction and killing of the six Naga hostages are identified, arrested and prosecuted. The association maintained that “justice cannot be replaced by rhetoric” and argued that criminal accountability must precede any peace or reconciliation process.
ANSAM also objected to the use of the term “Kacha Naga” in the KZC chairman’s statement, describing it as historically inaccurate and offensive. It further questioned whether the Kuki-Zo Council has the mandate to speak on behalf of all Kuki-Zo groups while seeking reconciliation.
In a separate statement, the Naga People’s Network Forum (NPNF) strongly condemned the use of the expression “Kacha Naga”, calling it a derogatory colonial-era misnomer that undermines the identity, history and dignity of the Naga people. The forum demanded that KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet withdraw the statement containing the term and issue an unconditional public apology.
NPNF also urged the Government of India to remove the expression from official records and replace it with terminology that reflects the community’s accepted identity. While cautioning that public anger could intensify if the issue remains unresolved, the forum appealed to Naga youth to pursue justice through peaceful and lawful means. It also called upon apex Naga organisations, tribal bodies, churches and civil society groups to respond collectively to the issue.
The latest exchange comes amid continuing tensions over the killing of six Naga civilians, whose bodies were recovered earlier this month after they were abducted in Kangpokpi district. The case has since been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council has clarified that its chairman’s expression of regret was intended as a humanitarian gesture and should not be construed as an admission of collective responsibility by the Kuki-Zo community. It has continued to seek an impartial investigation into all incidents of violence linked to the ongoing conflict.
