UKHRUL: The Tahamzam Youth Forum (TYF) has backed the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati, and rejected the rejoinder issued by the United Kuki Youth Club (UKYC) and subsequent clarification from the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) concerning the killing of Naga civilians at Senapati’s Kailenjang on September 26, 2026.
In a statement, the TYF questioned the KRA’s demand for evidence regarding its alleged involvement in the incident, while accusing the outfit of casting suspicion on the Liangmai Naga community without providing evidence. The forum said that if the KRA denied involvement, it should submit itself to an impartial investigation and present any evidence before the investigating authorities.
The TYF also responded to UKYC’s objection to the NPO’s use of the term “blood-thirsty”, asking the organisation to address the circumstances surrounding the deaths of six Naga civilians whose bodies were recovered mutilated and dismembered. The forum referred to an earlier statement by the Kuki-Zo Council chairman, who described the killings as a “grave mistake” and apologised while stating that collective responsibility was not being assigned.
The forum further claimed that 14 Kuki detainees had previously been released alive by the Naga side on humanitarian grounds. It said that if collective blame was rejected, perpetrators should instead be identified and held accountable rather than criticism being directed at those seeking justice for the victims.
On the Kailenjang incident, the TYF said three Naga civilians were killed and another injured, and maintained that denials could not negate the deaths. It reiterated its call for an impartial investigation if the KRA denied involvement.
The TYF also referred to the former village chief of Kailenjang, noting that UKYC had itself described her as the “former Village Chief”. The forum said the Zomi community should not be brought into the issue, stating that neither the Naga side nor the TYF had levelled allegations against the community.
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The statement also addressed historical claims raised in the exchanges, with the TYF arguing that references to the 1917–1919 period do not, by themselves, establish present-day citizenship, indigenous status, domicile or land ownership. The forum said historical questions should be examined through available records and evidence rather than being used to settle contemporary disputes.
The TYF maintained that historical arguments do not provide an answer to the killings in 2026 and called for the focus to remain on the facts surrounding the Kailenjang incident.
Concluding its statement, the forum said the period of issuing press releases and condemnations without further action should end. It warned that any further intimidation of Naga people would be met with what it described as “firm and collective action”, while stating that it would not remain a spectator to what it described as threats and attacks against Naga civilians.
