Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, March 13:
The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Tangkhul Naga Foothills’ Organisation (TNFO) has strongly refuted allegations made by the Shangkai Village Authority, Thawai Kuki Village Authority and Kuki Inpi Ukhrul District, which accused Tangkhul Naga village volunteers of launching a barbaric attack on Kuki farmers in the fields on the morning of February 11, 2026.
Issuing a clarification, the TNFO described the allegations as “false, fabricated and malicious narratives” intended to defame and blackmail the peaceful Tangkhul Naga villagers who, according to the organisation, have remained restrained despite repeated provocations.
The CWC of TNFO clarified that the incident in question was not an attack on farmers but a gunfight triggered when armed Kuki militants allegedly opened fire on Tangkhul Naga volunteers in the early hours of March 11, 2026. The volunteers had reportedly gone up the hill ranges with the objective of destroying poppy plantations as part of TNFO’s ongoing “War on Drugs” campaign.
According to the organisation, the militants used sophisticated weapons and initiated the exchange of fire, forcing the volunteers to defend themselves. In this context, TNFO asserted that the claim that Kuki farmers were killed during the incident is “baseless, unjustified and unacceptable.”
The organisation also strongly condemned what it described as the “irrational and unlawful” detention of 21 innocent Tangkhul Naga civilians from Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, who were allegedly taken captive and held overnight by Kuki militants as retaliation for the armed encounter.
While condemning the act, the TNFO expressed deep appreciation to the Chief Minister of Manipur and the personnel of the 4th Mahar Regiment for their prompt intervention, which ensured the safe rescue and release of the detained civilians.
The organisation further appealed to the Commanding Officer of the regiment to facilitate the return of mobile phones belonging to the captives, which were reportedly seized during the incident by the militants at Shangkai.
The TNFO also dismissed earlier allegations made by the UMMGPL Village Authority on March 5, 2026, stating that there had been no life-threatening encounters at Mahadev and that no threats were issued to Kuki farmers on February 14.
Highlighting what it called a pattern of aggression, the organisation listed several incidents allegedly perpetrated by Kuki militants, including the setting of forest fires at Lungter Hill on February 23, the brutal assault on four residents of Riha village on March 2, threats issued to the Sinakeithei Village Authority by Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) cadres on March 3, and the intimidation of Tangkhul farmers at Sinakeithei on March 7.
Despite these incidents, TNFO stated that Tangkhul Nagas have exercised restraint and have not retaliated.
Clarifying another complaint raised by UMMGPL on March 9, the organisation stated that the vehicle checking carried out by women volunteers at Wunghon village was not aimed at restricting essential commodities but was intended to curb the transportation of illegal drugs, intoxicants and weapons.
Concluding its statement, the TNFO warned Kuki groups to immediately stop intimidation, violence and the spreading of false allegations through media platforms. The organisation cautioned that the patience of the Tangkhul Naga villagers is wearing thin and urged all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate tensions in the region.