Imphal: The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has strongly condemned the recent operation by the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) CoBRA unit at Bitiang (Laphok) village in Noney district, alleging that it resulted in the death of a Naga Village Guard (NVG) member and left several village volunteers critically injured.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation claimed that 22-year-old Lanbimei Riamei, a member of the Naga Village Guard, was killed during the operation. The MNYO described the action as an “unprovoked” and “premeditated” attack and alleged that security personnel had surrounded the village on July 28 before launching the operation on the morning of July 29 while the village guards were having breakfast.

The organisation further alleged that the operation was carried out without the involvement of local district authorities or police officials and claimed that it violated established procedures and human rights norms. It also criticised the Noney Superintendent of Police and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, alleging negligence in investigating the incident.

Referring to the killings of six Naga civilians on May 13, whose bodies were later recovered, the MNYO expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the investigation and urged the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to identify and prosecute those responsible. The organisation also recalled the killing of three Thadou church leaders on the same day.

The MNYO questioned the functioning of the Manipur government, alleging that effective action had not been taken against armed Kuki militant groups while, according to the organisation, security operations were being directed against Naga village guards.

Among its key demands, the organisation called for the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen from the Council of Ministers, citing what it described as a conflict of interest. It also demanded the immediate withdrawal of CoBRA personnel from Bitiang and surrounding Naga areas, swift prosecution of those responsible for the May 13 killings, and the clearing of alleged blockades on National Highway 202.

The MNYO also appealed to the Union Home Ministry to designate several Kuki militant organisations as terrorist groups and sought the scrapping of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with such organisations.

The statement concluded with a condolence message on the passing of Naga Mothers’ Association President Vilanuo Angela Yhome on July 31, expressing sympathy to her family and describing her death as a significant loss to the Naga community.

There was no immediate response from the Manipur government, the CRPF, or the Deputy Chief Minister regarding the allegations made by the MNYO.