UKHRUL: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has accused the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Central Security Forces of continuing to ignore the plight of the Tangkhul Nagas while covertly employing Kuki militants to terrorize Naga civilians. The TNL Working Committee has strongly condemned the bomb attack at New Heaven and the ongoing firing at civilian vehicles by Kuki militants that began at 3:00 AM this morning in TM Kasom, as well as the persistent assaults in Sinakelthei since late February. The committee described the biased and indifferent treatment from the Indian Security Forces as appalling.
Also read | Tangkhul Naga Long Condemns Incessant Attacks by Kuki Militants
The committee also reported that on April 24, an individual named Mercy Khongsal, Vice President of KSO Ukhrul, was escorted by the Mahar Regiment/BSF into Mullam, despite numerous requests from Sinakelthel for increased security forces, which have gone unheeded. “An alleged combing operation at Lungter, where Kuki terrorists have established a stronghold for their offensives against Sinakelthei, was undertaken by the Kangpokpi Police in conjunction with security forces on April 28, 2026. That very evening, Sinakelthel was attacked by Kuki militants. How can we trust the Central Security Forces to restore order under these circumstances?” they questioned.
Furthermore, the TNL accused the Central Security Forces of repeatedly misusing their power to harass women and mothers who are safeguarding their land and destroying civilian defense shelters, instead of confronting the actual aggressors—Kuki militants, both SoO and non-SoO groups. “The numerous incidents that have occurred in the last two months in Ukhrul have clearly demonstrated that the Central Security Forces have betrayed the trust of Naga civilians. Consequently, multiple demands have been made to replace the Central Security Forces with State Forces. These requests have not been acknowledged, indicating the dishonesty of the Central Government and the MHA in addressing this pressing issue,” the statement continued.
Also read | DIPR Manipur Launches Fact-Check Facebook Page to Combat Misinformation in Public Domain
The apex Tangkhul civil body also noted that on April 29, an order for a joint area domination and combing operation was issued by the SP of Ukhrul, with the 4th Mahar Rgt., BSF, and Litan Police assigned to the operation. However, it has been reported that the operation is being conducted without police presence, while the Assam Rifles—who were not assigned to the operation—are leading efforts in Shongphel, Mullam, and Ringui.
“Such unauthorized operations that deviate from the issued orders further exacerbate the trust deficit between Naga civilians and the Central Security Forces. Our concerns and suspicions regarding the sincerity of the Assam Rifles remain unaddressed, yet this same force continues to be utilized by the MHA to harass innocent Nagas,” it alleged.
The committee raised concerns about the potential collusion between Central Security Forces and Kuki militants, including both SoO and non-SoO groups, as Mullam, Shongphel, and neighboring Kuki villages appear to be serving as transit camps for the Security Forces. “It has become undeniably clear that the Security Forces under the MHA are openly waging a war against Naga civilians by utilizing proxy SoO Kuki militants,” declared the TNL Working Committee. The committee cautioned that if the Central Security Forces continue their biased conduct against the Tangkhul Nagas, they may be compelled to adopt democratic means of protest.
Also read | Supreme Court Orders Fresh Forensic Probe into Biren Singh Audio, Seeks Original Copy
Meanwhile, the Roudei (TM Kasom) village authority has reported a premeditated attack on the villagers by Kuki militants in the early morning of 30th April 2026.
Condemning the attack, the villagers reported that the assault was carried out at two locations, initially at Khayeiram (formerly known as New Heaven) at around 3:00 a.m., where vehicles plying along the Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202) were targeted using bombs and heavy explosives. The second attack occurred at around 5:30 a.m., targeting a moving vehicle within the village premises. The attack originated from a hill range located between Chepu Yaolen village and Patleiyang, a small hamlet, it said, adding that the barbaric and cowardly act against civilians is highly uncalled for and such provocation will not be taken lightly as they remain resolute in defending their land.
The villagers also raise concerns regarding security lapses. They reported that despite the presence of the Border Security Forces stationing in the village, the attacks continue to occur, which raises questions about the purpose of deploying security forces if they are unable to protect the citizens. If they are incapable of ensuring the safety of the villagers, their presence becomes questionable, they said, adding that the BSF must be held accountable for these lapses.
Also read | A Voice from Nagaland: When One Naga Bleeds, the Silence of Another Becomes Betrayal
The TM Kasom village authority also highlighted that on 18 April 2026, when two Tangkhul Naga civilians were ambushed and killed, Chepu Yaolen village categorically rejected and refuted the claims made by the Tangkhul Naga Long Working Committee, claiming there is no presence of SoO Kuki armed militants in the village and that the incident occurred in a Tangkhul-dominated area. Moreover, it reported that on 24 April 2026, at the same location where the ambush occurred, Chingai Police personnel were again ambushed by Kuki militants while returning from duty in the evening en route to Ukhrul.
“Furthermore, on 25 April 2026, the Kuki lnpi Manipur and the Kuki CSO Working Committee alleged the presence of Tangkhul militants, claims that were unfounded, baseless, and lacking any credible evidence. While making such accusations and provoking other villages without proof, today’s incident clearly indicates the presence of fully armed Kuki militants in Chepu Yaolen village. The security forces, including the BSF stationed in Roudei (T.M. Kasom), are witnesses to the firing, they said.
The village authority then concluded that there is a strong presence of Kuki militants in the Litan area, extending from the Mongkot Chepu hill range to the Chepu Yaolen hill range, and they are operating freely in these hill ranges. No one can deny the facts of the events that have occurred in this area, including the police personnel who were also victims of such attacks, it further stated.
Also read | Assam Rifles DIG Meets UNC, Nemcha Kipgen to Review Security in Manipur
“While allegedly shielding Kuki militants within their own villages, the Kuki CSOs have accused Tangkhul Naga villages of harboring militants without any substantiated evidence. Such baseless accusations are highly irresponsible and unacceptable. This reflects a clear attempt to deflect attention from their own actions by placing unwarranted blame on others,” the TM Kasom village said.
In conclusion, the village body calls for immediate action, including a thorough combing operation in the said hill ranges, destruction of all illegal bunkers, apprehension of all those involved in such attacks, and prosecution under the relevant laws. Moreover, it urged the government to reconsider the SoO Agreement, while urging civil society organizations (CSOs) to intervene before the situation escalates further and to bring peace to the area.