UKHRUL: The Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth) has issued a press release addressing the escalating violence and territorial tensions in Southern Nagalim.
In the press release, Khanuithot-Khon expressed unwavering solidarity with their Naga brethren in Senapati and throughout Southern Nagalim. The statement emphasized that an attack on one person is an injury to all. “The recent events are not isolated incidents but rather a significant escalation that directly threatens the safety, dignity, and security of our people. Our solidarity is firm, and our resolve is unwavering,” the statement read.
The organization acknowledged the presence of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) and Naga volunteers at T. Khullen on April 21, 2026. Their presence during a time of mourning reflected discipline, responsibility, and commitment to the community. However, the statement expressed grave concern about the subsequent events, reporting that Naga volunteers enforcing a peaceful shutdown were met with coordinated stone-pelting and gunfire from armed Kuki militants, along with Kuki refugees from Changoubung.
It also noted the vandalism of an SDSA vehicle and condemned the use of force against unarmed volunteers during a period of mourning, deeming it unacceptable and indicative of a deliberate escalation.
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The Khanuithot-Khon highlighted that the incident was not isolated, drawing attention to the killing of two Tangkhul Naga civilians on April 18, 2026, along NH-202 by Kuki refugee militants, which remains a serious and unresolved injustice. “Repeated incidents across various locations indicate a growing pattern of violence involving armed Kuki groups. This pattern demands serious attention and cannot be dismissed or minimized,” the statement said.
Furthermore, Khanuithot-Khon alleged that the continued movement and activities of Kuki refugee militant groups in civilian areas, combined with weak enforcement of agreed security arrangements, have directly contributed to the current situation. It asserted that mechanisms such as the Suspension of Operations must be enforced in both letter and spirit, warning that any failure to restrict armed actors from operating freely among civilians undermines public safety and erodes trust.
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The organization noted that issues of land, administration, and identity are deeply sensitive and historically rooted. Any attempt to alter these realities through intimidation, coercion, or force will only deepen divisions and prolong instability.
“This moment demands clarity, discipline, and responsibility. Peace cannot be sustained without justice, and stability cannot be achieved without accountability. The safety and dignity of our people are non-negotiable,” it stated.
“Khanuithot-Khon stands in firm solidarity with our Naga brethren in Senapati and across Southern Nagalim. We remain committed to protecting our people, defending our land, and pursuing justice and lasting peace,” the statement concluded.