UKHRUL: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex civil body of the Tangkhul Nagas, has strongly condemned the recent incidents of violence in Litan and adjoining Naga-inhabited areas, alleging targeted attacks on Naga villagers and encroachment upon ancestral lands.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the TNL Working Committee stated that the violence followed the alleged attempt to murder a Tangkhul villager on the evening of February 7 at Litan. The statement recalled that Mr. Stalin A. Shimray, a school teacher from Litan, was assaulted around 9:10 pm without provocation, resulting in grievous injuries.
The Tangkhul Naga apex body further alleged that on February 8, armed Kuki militants entered Sikibung/Sharkaphung village and torched more than 23 houses belonging to Tangkhul Nagas, including the residence of the village headman. It also claimed that shots were fired towards populated areas, creating panic among civilians.
According to the statement, fresh incidents were reported on February 23, when portions of the Lungter Hill Range of Sinakeithei village were allegedly set on fire. The TNL also cited the abduction of a villager, Mr. Aseng Awungshi, at gunpoint, and alleged that another villager narrowly escaped after shots were fired at him.
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The TNL expressed concern over what it termed as the open movement of fully armed Suspension of Operations (SoO) cadres in the presence of central security forces over the past 18 days, alleging violation of the revised SoO agreement. It further claimed the presence of foreign national militants, including KNA(B) cadres, in SoO camps.
Raising questions over the role of central security forces, the TNL alleged that instead of protecting the rights and security of the Nagas, certain forces were seen siding with Kuki militants. It accused the Centre of attempting to carve out a “separate homeland/administration” for Kukis within Naga areas and warned against what it described as “demographic engineering” in Naga-inhabited regions.
The statement reiterated that Litan/Litan Bazaar falls within the ancestral territory of Sikibung/Sharkaphung village and referred to administrative orders issued in September and October 2024 directing adherence to traditional jurisdiction and customs. It also cited a joint meeting held on June 28, 2025, wherein local chiefs had reportedly acknowledged Tangkhul ancestral land ownership and agreed to maintain peace along the Imphal–Ukhrul highway.
While stating that the Nagas have historically upheld peaceful co-existence and even extended humanitarian assistance during the height of the Meitei–Kuki conflict, the TNL asserted that repeated incidents of harassment and violence have strained relations. It listed several affected areas, including Litan Sareikhong, Mongkot Chepu, Yaolen, Shangai, Zalenbung, Lamlai Chingphe, and Thawai Kuki/Sepiyang.
The TNL urged the Central and State governments to immediately relocate SoO Kuki militant camps from Naga-inhabited areas and to identify and deport illegal immigrants. It further called for the eviction of unrecognised and illegal settlements and cancellation of all illegal land permits (Touzi), stating that no fresh permits should be issued for new Kuki settlements.
Condemning what it described as collusive conduct by central security forces in the torching of Naga houses, the TNL demanded stern legal action against those responsible and called for the withdrawal of deployed forces from Naga areas.
Meanwhile, the TNL instructed all Tangkhul Naga villagers to cut civic and economic ties with the Kukis with immediate effect.
The TNL maintained that while it continues to stand for peaceful co-existence and restoration of normalcy, such peace cannot come at the cost of Naga land ownership and rights.