Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, August 7:
The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has strongly condemned what it described as the “unnecessary frisking” of civilians and the heightened deployment of Assam Rifles personnel at several locations in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, alleging that the security measures have caused widespread inconvenience and anxiety among local residents.
In a statement, the TNL Working Committee stated that security personnel had intensified frisking operations and troop movements in civilian areas over the past few days despite the absence of any reported disturbances in the localities concerned.
According to the organisation, the security measures have disrupted normal life and created a sense of insecurity, particularly among women, children and daily commuters.
The committee alleged that personnel of the 11 Assam Rifles conducted vehicle frisking at Maku village junction on August 6, resulting in delays and inconvenience to travellers using the Imphal–Ukhrul–Kamjong route. It further stated that, on the previous day, troops of the 40 Assam Rifles were deployed at Changa Junction, Nungshong Junction and Finch Corner. The communiqué also referred to an earlier frisking operation allegedly carried out by Assam Rifles personnel at Ningchou village under Kamjong Sub-Division on August 3.
Expressing concern over what it termed the increasing militarisation of civilian spaces, the TNL Working Committee maintained that such operations have unsettled residents of otherwise peaceful areas. The organisation questioned the necessity of extensive security exercises in Naga-inhabited areas, arguing that local communities have been striving to maintain peace and normalcy.
The communiqué further stated that the Tangkhul Naga community has been living under considerable strain due to the prevailing security situation in the hill districts and the alleged threats posed by armed groups operating in neighbouring areas. Against this backdrop, the committee contended that intensified security checks on ordinary civilians only add to public hardship instead of addressing the underlying causes of the conflict.
The TNL Working Committee called upon the civil administration and the security authorities concerned to review the ongoing operations and take corrective measures without delay. It urged the security forces to avoid actions that, in its view, unnecessarily inconvenience law-abiding citizens and to ensure that future security measures are conducted with greater sensitivity towards the civilian population.
Reiterating its opposition to the recent frisking operations, the committee stated that lasting peace in Manipur’s hill districts requires addressing the root causes of the conflict through responsible governance, dialogue and lawful measures, rather than creating additional hardships for innocent civilians.
