IMPHAL | April 24, 2026
In a rare and powerful display of communal harmony amidst the ongoing unrest in Manipur, members of the Naga and Meitei communities came together to stand against the rising tide of violence. A massive candlelight vigil was organized yesterday evening at Mao Market, near the MBC Church in Imphal, to honor the memory of two Naga civilians recently killed by armed militants and to protest the prevailing instability in the state.
Collective Tribute and Protest
The program was jointly organized by the 'Naga Peoples’ Union Imphal' and the 'All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur' (ANSAM), under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC). The gathering paid solemn tribute to S.W. Chinaoshang, a retired Indian Army soldier, and Yaruingam Vashum—both residents of Ukhrul district—who lost their lives in an ambush on National Highway 202 on April 18. Participants also vehemently condemned the April 7 bomb blast in Bishnupur district, which tragically claimed the lives of two innocent children and injured their mother.
A Strong Call for Peace
Attending the vigil, Naga MLAs Leishiyo Keishing and K. Vashum termed the killings as "an ultimate act of barbarism" and demanded swift legal action against the perpetrators. MLA Keishing emphasized that such incidents severely derail ongoing efforts to restore normalcy. "We must stop the spread of hate speech and unite for the sake of peace and development," he urged.
ANSAM President M. Tuishang Maring expressed deep concern over the security situation, questioning how such a heinous crime could occur in broad daylight despite a heavy security presence. He called upon the Government of India to take immediate and decisive measures to halt the cycle of violence and respect the historical and political rights of indigenous communities.
Solidarity for a Stable Future
Hundreds of participants, carrying banners and placards, raised their voices not only against militancy but also against drug-related crimes. Representatives from both communities were unanimous in their demand that both the Central and State governments show greater sincerity in resolving the conflict. As candles flickered in the evening air, the assembly served as a poignant reminder that even in the face of bloodshed, the ordinary citizens of Manipur remain steadfast in their dream of peaceful coexistence and collective healing.
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