UKHRUL: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and the Thawai (Thoyee) Village Authority have strongly condemned an alleged attack by suspected Kuki militants on Thawai and Sharkaphung villages on Easter Sunday evening. The attack reportedly occurred between 6:30 PM and 10:30 PM, resulting in damage to at least six residential homes. They expressed dissatisfaction with the security forces for remaining passive during the attack.
In a press statement, the Thawai Village Authority stated that the attack, conducted by suspected Kuki militants from the Shangkai and Zalengbung areas using sophisticated weapons, followed an advance operation by central forces just a day earlier. They expressed grave concern about the effectiveness and intent of such operations and demanded clarification about the security personnel’s inaction during the attack.
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Condemning both the actions of the armed militants and the failure of the relevant security apparatus to protect civilians, the village authority has urged the government to take urgent and impartial measures to ensure the villagers’ safety. They have also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident to ensure justice is served as swiftly as possible.
The TNL Working Committee reiterated these concerns, stating that Kuki militants fired upon Thoyee and Sharkaphung villages without any intervention from security forces. The intermittent gunfire continued throughout the night, with at least six houses in Thoyee village being hit.
Furthermore, the committee alleged that the Kuki militants used thermal drones during the attack. “The deployment of such advanced surveillance and attack methods represents a dangerous escalation and further endangers already vulnerable civilian populations,” it stated, adding, “The targeting of innocent lives cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
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The committee expressed concern that despite repeated and escalating incidents, both state and central governments have remained passive observers. “The lack of decisive intervention, accountability, and protection for affected civilians raises serious questions about the commitment to safeguarding citizens and maintaining order,” it said. They called upon the authorities to act promptly and decisively to ensure the safety of civilians and to take concrete steps toward restoring peace and security. “The people of Thoyee and Sharkaphung deserve protection, justice, and an end to the cycle of violence inflicted by illegal Kuki militants,” they added.
Additionally, the committee expressed serious concern over statements made by Kuki civil societies regarding comments made by Rev. Ramyothing Phungshok.
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“While any form of hate speech, provocation, or targeting of civilians must be condemned unequivocally, it is vital that narratives surrounding such incidents are grounded in verified facts and not presented in a selective or one-sided manner. Rev. Ramyothing’s sermon addressed the situation in Ukhrul and the Kukis should refrain from involving themselves in matters that do not concern them or taking comments out of context and exaggerating them,” it stated.
The committee further emphasized the paradox of Kuki CSOs speaking about peaceful coexistence while spreading falsehoods regarding the gunfire incidents in Thoyee and Sharkaphung villages.