Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, July 15:
A pre-dawn search operation carried out by the Assam Rifles in TM Kasom village of Manipur’s Ukhrul district has sparked concern among local residents, with villagers alleging that four civilians were apprehended during the operation and have remained untraceable since.
The operation, conducted on Tuesday morning in TM Kasom, a strategically located Tangkhul Naga village along National Highway-102A, reportedly took local residents by surprise. Villagers claimed that personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) stationed in the area, as well as the Manipur Police, had not been informed in advance about the operation, leading to confusion and anxiety in the village.
According to local sources, Assam Rifles personnel entered the village in the early hours and launched a search operation. No official statement had been issued by the Assam Rifles regarding the objective, scope or outcome of the operation at the time of filing this report.
Residents stated that the operation later extended to neighbouring Sikibung (Sharkaphung) village and the adjoining Phungthar Hills. During the combing operation, villagers alleged that four civilians were taken into custody by the security personnel.
Following the incident, the Sikibung (Sharkaphung) Village Authority submitted a written complaint to the Officer-in-Charge of Litan Police Station, expressing concern over the alleged apprehension and subsequent disappearance of the four villagers.
In the complaint, signed by village headman Wungreikhan Kasar, the village authority stated that the four individuals were taken into custody between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on July 14. The individuals were identified as Wungphayo Kasar (24), son of Yurthan Kasar; A.S. Ninglum (29), son of late A.S. Hopeson; Yaoreingam Lungleng (24), son of Makanmi Lungleng; and Varelyo Lungleng (56), son of late Tuifa Lungleng.
The village authority maintained that all four are law-abiding citizens with no known criminal record and expressed concern that their whereabouts remain unknown, causing distress among their families and the local community.
The representation urged the police to immediately ascertain the status and location of the four individuals and to facilitate their release if they were found to have committed no offence. It further stated that prompt and transparent action would help maintain public confidence and strengthen trust between local communities and security agencies.
TM Kasom has emerged as one of the sensitive areas affected by tensions arising from the ongoing Kuki-Naga conflict in recent months. Residents said the unexpected deployment of security forces, coupled with the absence of any official explanation, has heightened apprehension in the area.
