UKHRUL: Four persons were arrested today during a combing operation in Sikibung and TM Kasom villages, under the Litan Police Station in Kamjong District, Manipur. The Working Committee of the apex Tangkhul body, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), has demanded the immediate release of the ‘four innocent villagers’ within 24 hours, warning that failure to comply will result in serious civil unrest against the state government.
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According to reliable sources, the operation was conducted by a joint team of security forces, including the Assam Rifles, Madras Regiment, Maha Regiment, Bihar Regiment, Punjab Regiment, and police personnel. The four detainees are reportedly from Sikibung and have been identified as Yaoreingam Lungleng (21), son of L. Makanmi; Wungphayo Kasar (24), son of Yurthan Kasar; Ninglum Awungshi Shimray (26), son of Hopeson Awungshi Shimray; and Vareiyo Lungleng, son of (L) Tuifer Lungleng, all from Sikibung village, Kamjong District, Manipur.
Sources stated that the individuals were arrested around 8:30 am from Sikibung village by the 8th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment, under the command of Binod Solanki.
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Notably, the Manipur Police reported that the security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in the areas of TM Kasom, Litan, and Sikibung to apprehend those responsible for an ambush on security forces in Ukhrul District on July 6, resulting in three detentions.
Villagers reported that the operation began at approximately 7:30 am, with the Assam Rifles searching without prior notice or the involvement of police personnel in TM Kasom. House-to-house frisking was carried out, including searches of church premises and quarters. They also alleged that the Litan Police were unaware of the operation, which led to their inability to provide information about the whereabouts of the four missing civilians. Consequently, a missing persons report was submitted to the police station, they said.
As per the latest reports, the detainees are currently held at Porompat Police Station in Imphal East District.
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Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long has expressed deep frustration over the security forces’ actions against the ‘oppressed’ villagers, who have been under aggressive attacks from Kuki militants despite the Suspension of Operations (SoO). They also noted that Kuki villages, which they alleged are the epicenter of violence in Ukhrul and Kamjong Districts since February 7, remain untouched by security forces. The TNL has warned of significant civil unrest against the government if their demands are not met.
