Suspected cadres of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF–Kamson) allegedly set fire to three houses and four makeshift huts at K. Songlung Part II village, located around 23 Km under Kangchup Police Station in Kangpokpi district, on January 26, following which security forces launched an operation in the area.
According to information received by the press, K. Songlung village comprises seven households. The village chief has been identified as Shemkholal Haokip. It is suspected that about 15 to 20 unidentified armed persons, believed to be cadres of the ZUF–Kamson group, were involved in the incident. The armed men reportedly entered the village around 12.30 pm. After the village chief Shemkholal Haokip and his family members fled the area, the attackers allegedly set fire to the houses and makeshift structures.
During the arson, a Gypsy vehicle was completely burnt, while a Jeep and some other vehicles were partially damaged. Paddy, food grains, gas cylinders and other household items kept inside the houses were also destroyed in the fire.
ZUF claims action against illegal poppy cultivation
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has claimed that it has intensified its campaign against illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking and what it described as unlawful encroachment by illegal immigrants within the ancestral, customary and historical territory of the Zeliangrong Inpui Naga people.
In a press communiqué issued by its Ministry of Information and Publicity, the outfit stated that enforcement action was carried out at around 12.15 pm in the Waphong area of Songnung, Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi district. The statement claimed that farmhouses, farms and other materials allegedly linked to illegal poppy cultivation and unauthorised structures were burnt and dismantled.
According to the communiqué, the action followed repeated public warnings and what the group described as sufficient time given for peaceful compliance. The outfit alleged that those targeted had ignored the will of the indigenous people and continued activities which, it claimed, posed a serious threat to public safety, indigenous land rights and the future of the region.
The ZUF further declared that no foreign or illegal settlers would be allowed to exploit, occupy or degrade what it described as the ancestral land of the Zeliangrong Inpui Naga people. It reiterated its stated objective of eliminating illegal poppy cultivation and narcotics networks and removing all unauthorised settlements from indigenous land.
The communiqué asserted that the group considers the defence of land, identity and future as “non-negotiable”.
Following reports of the incident, DIG Range-IV Ningshem Vashum, SP Kangpokpi Abhinav, Additional SP (Highway) Shamir Shahid, along with senior officers including the Commanding Officer of 30th Battalion CRPF Mahendra, Assistant Commandant Ashok Panigrahi and Officer-in-Charge of New Keithelmanbi Police Station Abas Khan, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
After the incident at K. Songlung village, security forces also carried out operations in the adjoining Waphong village. However, no further incidents were reported.
Meanwhile, it was reported that a team of the Kuki Students’ Organisation, Sadar Hills, visited K. Songlung village after alleged cadres of the ZUF Tiger Force set fire to the village, reportedly leaving several families homeless.