Ukhrul, May 3: The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga community has strongly condemned the “cold-blooded killing” of three NSCN cadres in the adjoining forest areas of New Kubin and Herakilua villages in the Naga homeland, NC Hills, Assam on April 29, 2025. The incident, allegedly carried out by combined forces of the Indian security forces and Assam Police under the patronage of the Government of India, has shocked the Naga community.
The UNC extended its condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased, whom it described as Naga combatants who “served the nation and gave their all in defending the motherland and identity.” The slain individuals were identified as Sanga Samba from Pangmi region, Arunachal Pradesh; Gailuaning Zeme from Tamenglong, Manipur; and Haijeulungbe Daime from NC Hills, Assam.
The UNC termed the killings a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN, along with its ground rules. “Such senseless violence undermines the fragile peace process and jeopardizes the trust built over years of negotiations, which is a matter of great concern,” the UNC stated.
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Referring to the 1997 declaration of ceasefire and the subsequent bilateral agreements, the UNC emphasized that the Naga people have remained committed to the peace process. However, it accused Indian security forces of carrying out repeated raids, killings, tortures, and arrests across Naga areas, stating these acts negate the spirit of peace talks and constitute a total violation of ceasefire ground rules.
“It is heartbreaking and unfortunate to see the world’s largest democracy, India, championing in flexing muscle and suppressing the oppressed for ages,” the UNC remarked.
In a separate statement, the UNC also condemned the recent harassment and abrupt denial of a travel pass to Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). Krome was detained on April 7 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, while en route to Kathmandu, Nepal, to attend a meeting organized by the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP).
The UNC recalled a similar incident on February 5, 2020, when Krome was forced to return to Nagaland from the Kolkata airport while attempting to travel to Bangkok for another meeting. On both occasions, the Indian authorities reportedly gave the vague justification: “You cannot travel.”
The UNC expressed concern over what it described as systemic targeting of Naga civil society leaders, peace advocates, and human rights activists. “They are being threatened, intimidated, and criminalized for about 80 years by the Indian authorities,” the UNC stated, terming these acts “a draconian approach to muzzle the voice of indigenous struggling people, to suit their stage management at the international level by silencing the truth.”
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“The denial of travel to a human rights activist like Neingulo showcases India’s insincerity and cowardice in dealing with the Indo-Naga political issue,” the UNC added.
Despite the grievances, the UNC called upon the Government of India to honor the bilateral ceasefire agreement and uphold the spirit of the ongoing peace talks. “It is imperative to create a conducive environment for dialogue by both parties, rather than resorting to actions that exacerbate tensions and breach peace,” the UNC emphasized.
The organization urged the leaders of the Government of India and the NSCN to prioritize peace and stability for the well-being of the people and to sincerely engage in settling the protracted Indo-Naga political issue in the true spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement.