The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has demanded the immediate release of four villagers from Sharkaphung (Sikibung) village in Kamjong district, alleging that they were illegally detained during a security operation on July 14.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the TNL condemned the joint combing operation conducted in TM Kasom, Sharkaphung and Lungphu villages by personnel of the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Punjab Regiment, Madras Regiment and Bihar Regiment.
The organisation alleged that Wungphayo Kasar (24), A.S. Ninglum (29), Yaoreingam Lungleng (24) and Vareiyo Lungleng (56) were taken into custody between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and claimed that their whereabouts remained unknown.
Describing the four as innocent civilians, the TNL alleged that Tangkhul Naga villages have been repeatedly subjected to security operations despite facing attacks from armed groups since the outbreak of violence in the area earlier this year.
The organisation urged the State Government and security agencies to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the four detainees within 24 hours, warning that failure to do so would lead to democratic public agitation across the Tangkhul region. The allegations made by the TNL have not been independently verified, and no official response had been issued by the security agencies at the time of filing this report.
