IMPHAL: Amid the worsening situation in Manipur, frontal Naga organisations have accused the “Indian security forces” of meting out atrocities, brutalities, intimidations, and threats to the Nagas in the “Manipur state”.
The Working Committee of the United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union (NWU) and the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), in separate press statements issued on Monday, alleged that “heavy militarisation” has prevailed in many Naga areas in the state of Manipur.
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The Working Committee of the UNC alleged that the Naga people living in the state of Manipur, in no uncertain terms, condemned the “atrocious activities” of a section of the Assam Rifles, committing series of “military atrocities” upon the Naga villagers who have been struggling, vigilant peacefully to defend themselves from the external aggression. The UNC said it has been closely watching over the sporadic incidences of military excesses occurring in “our homeland”, especially in the villages of Tangkhul Naga community, who have been enduring the brunt of the persistent gun violence “orchestrated by armed Kuki mercenaries is very unfortunate and reprehensible”.
The UNC then said the recent incident of ramming of Talui village check gate and indiscriminately firing upon the civilians at Hoomi village is not an isolated case of chilling “Indian Army repression in Naga hills”. It added that such “ugly and inhuman actions” upon the unarmed civilians carried out by 18 Assam Rifles, posted in Ukhrul is a matter of alarming concern, putting the lives of innocent at risk is reprehensible and should be condemned by all right thinking concerned. Therefore, the Working Committee of the UNC demanded immediate booking of all the perpetrators. It also demanded to initiate prompt and impartial investigation to bring the matter in the limelight of justice. The UNC further demanded that all medical expenses incurred by the victims should be borne by the perpetrators.
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The UNC then urged the state and central governments to take cognizance and act upon the unfolding distasteful situations created by their machinery, especially by a section of Assam Rifles, “patronizing Kuki mercenaries and chilling the indigenous Naga people on the other hand”.
It also said the governments must take responsibility for this vicious circle and take decisive steps to put at rest the same once and for all for the good of all concerned. “The central and state governments must come clean on the ongoing conflict and treat the root causes of all these evils – indeed, removal of the Frankenstein, SoO camp from the hills of Manipur is the way-forward for ensuring peace and just governance in the state”.
In the same tone, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) expressed its strongest and most unequivocal condemnation of the reported acts of brutality, intimidation, and excessive force perpetrated by the “Indian Army forces” against innocent civilians in Talui and Hoomi Village on April 25, 2026. It said such actions carried out against unarmed villagers are not only deeply disturbing but stand as a grave affront to justice, humanity, and democratic responsibility. The ANSAM said the forceful intrusion through the Naga village gate is not merely an act of trespass; it is a direct insult to the dignity, history, and customary sanctity of the Naga people. It explained that the village gate is not an ordinary structure; it is a sacred emblem of ancestral authority, cultural identity, and collective honour.
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“To violate it with force is to wound the very soul of the Naga nation and to show complete disregard for the sentiments of the people”, said the Naga student body, adding, “Particularly condemnable is the reported injury inflicted upon a woman and a man during the course of the operation”. It also said violence against women is morally abhorrent and socially disgraceful.
“Women embody the strength, dignity, and moral foundation of our society, and any act that subjects them to fear, humiliation, or physical harm is an unforgivable stain upon civilised conduct. The reported blank firing and the terrorisation of peaceful villagers reveal a dangerous contempt for civilian life and human dignity. Such acts of atrocities upon the Naga tribals are unwarranted and highly condemnable”. The same conduct will not establish peace; they cultivate fear, mistrust, and deeper unrest among the people, the ANSAM also said.
The Naga student body then called upon the “Indian Army forces” particularly the Assam Rifles and all concerned authorities to respect the sentiments of the Nagas, honour the sanctity of the Naga village gate, and uphold the dignity and safety of women and citizens at all times. Peace can never be built upon intimidation, and authority can never command respect through brutality. It added that such barbarity against innocent civilians is shameful, dishonourable, and utterly unacceptable. The dignity and honour of the Naga people shall neither be trampled upon nor silenced, it also said, adding that the selective and manifestly prejudiced conduct of the Assam Rifles in this grave situation stands profoundly deplorable.
“While Kuki militants have relentlessly unleashed nocturnal and diurnal gunfire upon the villages of Sinakeithei and Sharkaphung for more than a month, no decisive operation has been undertaken against these armed aggressors”, the Naga student body alleged, adding, “Yet, instead of impartial intervention, the Naga Village Guards alone are being targeted”. At such a critical juncture, this selective approach is not merely unfortunate, it is a flagrant injustice, deeply condemnable, and an affront to equity, peace, and constitutional duty, the ANSAM added.
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The ANSAM, while denouncing the “Assam Rifles’ recurrent aggression on Naga citizens”, reaffirmed and reiterated its steadfast stance on the expulsion of the Assam Rifles from the state of Manipur in a representation to the Chief Minister on April 4, 2026.
Also expressing concern on the prevailing situation, the Naga Women Union (NWU) strongly condemned the “heavy militarization and the misuse of power by armed forces personnel against Naga women folks in multiple cases”. It said the continued intimidation and disproportionate actions deepen mistrust to them. “Such heavy-handed approaches are counterproductive and risk escalating tensions further”, the NWU also said. The Naga Women Union then cautioned that any continued mishandling of the situation may result in grave human and social tolls. “Therefore, we urge the armed forces to act with restraint, accountability and respect for the rights and cultural role of women belonging to the Nagas”, it added.
It then said, “For, the women’s presence at the gate are safeguarding their land and villages, deeply rooted in tradition and its necessity”. The conduct of the law enforcement forces, raises grave concern as reports from various villages indicate instances of intimidation, physical manhandling, and the use of excessive force against women who are peacefully discharging their customary responsibilities to safeguard their villages from the current pattern of attacks by the adversaries, it added.
The women’s presence at village gates is not an act of provocation, but a necessity born out of the ongoing threats as the women found that the Assam Rifles are more threat to their safety and lives, said the NWU. “The supply of stuff and ferrying of people in their vehicles are against the law. To check such elements, women are sitting at their village gates. They cannot be considered as opposers rather than protectors of their native villages”, it added.
The NWU then alleged there have been credible accounts of personnel from the Assam Rifles, deploying in Naga hilly areas, engaging in acts such as physical pushing, verbal intimidation, and forceful dispersal of unarmed women village defenders. “These actions violate basic human dignity, and also stand in contradiction to the legal protections afforded to every citizen of one’s nation”.
The NWU then said the use of disproportionate force against women is indefensible and constitutes a serious breach of both national and international human rights standards.
The latest incident occurred at Talui village on April 25, 2026, the Assam Rifles convoy forced its way through bamboo barricades set up by villagers at Talui. The convoy rammed the gate, where women were guarding the village, which caused two civilians to be seriously injured, it alleged. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Naga Women Union along with the local communities, who view it as a dangerous and insensitive act amid an already tense situation, the NWU added.
Therefore, the NWU strongly urged the state and central governments to immediately address and halt the excessive use of force against Naga women and villagers. It also urged the government to respect and uphold the customary role of Naga women as defenders of their land and people. The NWU further urged the government to ensure that there is no bias, selective treatment, or support toward any particular community at the expense of another. The NWU also urged the government to give “legal punishment” to the offenders of the Talui village incident of April 25 according to the degree of their crimes. (Injury, disrespect of women and their customs, reckless driving, breach of village law, causing panic and life threat). Finally, the NWU urged the government for the withdrawal of Assam Rifles in “Naga territory” at the earliest as they are found to be biased while discharging their duties.
The NWU then said the way forward must be built on equality and genuine respect for indigenous women so that they can live without fear, pressure, or intimidation. “Naga women have every right to speak and to protect their land and people. Their voices must never be silenced by force or coercion. Today, the Naga Women’s Union asks the sincerity of the security personnel towards saving the public”, it added.