UKHRUL: The Katho Katamnao Long (KKL) has strongly condemned the Assam Rifles, alleging that its personnel brutally assaulted the student body’s president and used excessive force against peaceful civilian demonstrators at Finch Corner, Shokvao, and New Haven on Sunday.
According to a press statement issued by KKL Vice President Shanching Yanao, the violence left more than 20 women and the KKL president injured. The injured were rushed to Ukhrul District Hospital for treatment. In response, the student body has announced an indefinite suspension of vehicular movement across all highways under Katho jurisdiction, directly affecting the movement of security forces.
The unrest stems from growing local opposition to what community leaders describe as an unauthorised temporary Assam Rifles outpost established at New Haven within the jurisdiction of Shokvao village. Local bodies have alleged that the installation was set up without obtaining the mandatory consent of the village authorities, bypassing established governance procedures.
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As public protests emerged to peacefully oppose the outpost, the situation allegedly escalated into violence. KKL has accused personnel under the command of Colonel Sunil Singh Lunthi, Commanding Officer of the 40 Assam Rifles stationed at Shangshak, of carrying out an unprovoked lathi charge on unarmed civilians, including women.
“The assault on the president was not an isolated incident,” the KKL stated. “Assam Rifles personnel exploited the situation surrounding a peaceful public protest and carried out a violent lathi charge against civilians. Excessive force was used against unarmed protesters, including women, and the Commanding Officer allegedly threatened onlookers with knives,” the statement claimed.
The student body further alleged that personnel involved in Sunday’s operations were under the influence of alcohol.
The crackdown reportedly occurred at multiple locations along the Imphal–Ukhrul road where local women had gathered in protest. According to KKL, peaceful assemblies of women were subjected to baton charges, resulting in numerous injuries at Shokvao and Finch Corner. The organisation further alleged that security personnel fired automatic weapon rounds into the air at New Haven in an attempt to intimidate, disperse, and suppress the demonstrators.
KKL stated that such actions constitute a serious violation of fundamental human rights and are contrary to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The organisation maintained that no legal framework or immunity grants security forces the authority to physically assault citizens or suppress democratic expression.
In response to what it described as the high-handedness of the security forces, KKL has declared a policy of total non-cooperation with the Assam Rifles.
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Effective immediately, an indefinite suspension of vehicular movement has been imposed on all major roads and transit corridors within Katho jurisdiction. The student body clarified that the restrictions primarily apply to the movement of military and security personnel.
However, in line with humanitarian considerations, the restrictions exempt emergency and healthcare services, essential civil services, and accredited media personnel.
KKL has also appealed to apex civil organisations, including the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and the Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), to stand in solidarity with the injured and support efforts to identify the personnel allegedly involved and initiate appropriate disciplinary and legal proceedings.
The blockade will remain in force and may be intensified until the Assam Rifles fulfils the following demands:
- A public apology for the actions and alleged misconduct of its personnel.
- Immediate withdrawal of the temporary outpost from New Haven.
- Appropriate disciplinary action against Colonel Sunil Singh Lunthi and all personnel allegedly involved.
The Assam Rifles has not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation as tensions remain high in the area.
Disclaimer: The allegations contained in this report are based on claims made by the Katho Katamnao Long (KKL). The Assam Rifles has not yet responded to the allegations.