UKHRUL: Strong condemnation has followed the reported killing of Naga civilian N.K. Wiphenbou of Upper Takou Village, with several Naga civil society organisations demanding swift justice and accountability from the authorities.
The United Naga Council (UNC), Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU) and Zeliangrong Welfare Association Delhi (ZWAD) condemned the killing and called for immediate action against those responsible.
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Deputy chief minister Losii Dikho also condemned the incident and appealed to both communities to immediately cease violence, asserting that continued conflict would only deepen suffering among civilians.
The UNC said Wiphenbou was allegedly waylaid and killed between Takou and Tama (Malek) villages under Tamei Sub-Division of Tamenglong district on September 21, 2026. The council alleged that the attack was carried out by Kuki militants under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework and demanded accountability and justice.
Describing the killing as an alleged act of terror and a grave violation of human life and humanitarian principles, the UNC expressed concern over what it termed continued attacks, house burnings and firing incidents targeting Naga villages along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road in Kangpokpi district.
The apex Naga body alleged that Chawangkining, Liangmai villages and other Naga settlements along the IT Road had faced repeated attacks. It further alleged the involvement of KNF-P and allied groups under the SoO framework, describing the incidents as part of a wider campaign aimed at terrorising and displacing Naga villagers.
The UNC expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and residents of villages affected by the violence.
The CNPO also strongly condemned the killing, stating that the death of a young civilian had left his family with an “immeasurable void.” It described the killing as a cowardly and barbaric act and called for accountability.
Dikho, meanwhile, said the loss was a tragedy not only for the victim’s village but for the entire state. While condemning the killing, he urged both communities to immediately halt violence.
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“Violence and war will never bring a lasting solution, nor will they fulfil anyone’s dreams or aspirations,” Dikho said, adding that continued violence would cause suffering primarily to innocent civilians and vulnerable sections of society.
The NWU expressed grave concern over the reported killing, continuing armed attacks, firing incidents, destruction of property and burning of houses in Naga villages along the IT Road and elsewhere in the state.
The union noted that the killing took place on September 21, observed globally as the International Day of Peace, and said the incident represented a tragic violation of the principles of peace and non-violence.
The NWU also maintained that appeals to the government for protection should not be viewed as a sign of weakness, saying that seeking state protection when civilians come under attack is a legitimate and responsible democratic demand.
ANSAM questioned the failure of the competent authorities and law-enforcement agencies to take what it described as decisive action against those responsible for the killing. It demanded appropriate legal action and accountability.
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ZWAD, expressing shock and grief, also condemned the reported killing and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
The Delhi-based organisation described the reported attack on an unarmed civilian as a serious violation of the sanctity of human life and called for the incident to be condemned and those responsible brought to justice.
