Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, August 28:
The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has expressed deep shock and outrage over the gruesome killing of four Liangmai Naga civilians and the injury of another in an armed ambush along the Imphal–Tamenglong (IT) Road in Kangpokpi district on Thursday morning.
According to the TNL, the attack took place at around 8.30 am between Makui Asang and Thanamba Naga village, where the civilians were allegedly targeted by Kuki militants. The four deceased have been identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, Founder-Principal of Right Path School, T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai, Executive Member of Makui Youth Club; Japhou MK, a student leader from Thonglang Akutpa; and Anil Wijunamai, also an Executive Member of Makui Youth Club. The injured victim has been identified as Gaikamang Charenamei.
The TNL Working Committee condemned the attack as a “cold-blooded” assault on innocent civilians and alleged the involvement of armed groups associated with the Kuki National Front-Presidential (KNF-P) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA). It further alleged that the groups operate under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement with the Government of India.
The latest killings come amid heightened tensions following the reported abduction of 18 Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei village in May and the subsequent recovery of the bodies of six of them. The TNL said the repeated attacks had created a deep sense of insecurity among Liangmai Naga communities.
Questioning the response of the governments and security agencies, the TNL alleged that Naga civilians were being subjected to arrests, harassment and security operations while armed groups accused of attacking civilians continued to operate with impunity.
The TNL also accused the BJP-led governments in Imphal and New Delhi of failing to provide impartial protection to Naga communities. The allegations could not be independently verified.
In response to Thursday’s killings, the TNL Working Committee has declared a 12-hour “Genna” from 6 am on Friday, August 28. Under the community’s social prohibition, the public has been urged to remain indoors and refrain from going to the fields or engaging in other routine activities during the period.
The TNL said the observance was intended to express collective grief, protest the killings and underscore the urgent need for protection of Naga civilians amid the continuing security crisis in the hills of Manipur.