The Liangmai Naga Council said families were yet to identify the bodies and had not received official information on where the remains were found.
People gathered at the JNIMS mortuary in Imphal after the bodies of six Naga men, allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village, were brought there amid tight security. | ANI
Police used tear gas outside the Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary in Imphal on Thursday after the bodies of six Naga men, allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Manipur on May 13, were brought there amid tight security.
The recovery has deepened anger and grief among the families and the Liangmai Naga community, with relatives still waiting to formally identify the bodies and community leaders questioning why it took nearly a month for the remains to be brought to Imphal.
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Hundreds of people gathered at the JNIMS mortuary in Imphal East as the bodies arrived early Thursday morning. Security personnel were deployed in strength around the hospital premises to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.
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Speaking to reporters, Liangmai Naga Council president Timothy Wizunamei said the community was “totally shocked” after receiving the bodies.
“Yes, we have just received six bodies of those who were abducted on May 13. To our utter shock, we received them as dead bodies today, and we are shattered,” Wizunamei said.
He said the bodies had been brought to the mortuary, but the families and community leaders were yet to identify them.
“We have not identified who is who yet. We are waiting to identify the faces and ascertain whether they are indeed our six missing people,” he said.
Wizunamei added that the relatives and community leaders would take a collective call on whether to formally claim the bodies after identification and verification.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the handling of the case, he said, “It took them 28 days to bring the dead bodies here. We are very disappointed with the way the government has acted.”
The Liangmai Naga Council president also said there were rumours that the bodies may have been mutilated, but added that nothing could be confirmed until the sealed packets were opened. He said the families had not yet received official information on where the bodies had been recovered from.
“We have not been given any official information yet,” he said.
According to Manipur Police, the mortal remains of six persons were recovered after an extensive search operation.
In a statement, Manipur Police said, “After nearly 24 hours of sustained search operations involving around 450 personnel of the Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles, assisted by sniffer dogs and forensic expert teams, the mortal remains of six persons were recovered this afternoon. The deceased are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13, 2026.”
The police said necessary legal formalities were being carried out and that an investigation into the case was underway.
The recovery triggered protests outside the JNIMS mortuary, where police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed grief over the recovery of the mortal remains and condemned the killings.
In a post on X, Rio said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the six Naga men whose mortal remains were recovered today. I strongly condemn this heinous act and extend my heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones. No family should have to endure such pain and anguish.”
“This heartbreaking tragedy is a painful reminder of the hurt and suffering that violence leaves behind. May the departed souls rest in peace, and may their families and loved ones find the strength to bear this profound loss,” he added.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction and deaths of the six Naga men is continuing.
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