Special Correspondent
Ukhrul/Kamjong, March 24:
The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has issued a strongly worded condemnation of what it described as “heinous and unprovoked” attacks carried out by armed Kuki militants and miscreants on innocent Tangkhul Naga civilians in Sikibung village and Kamjong headquarters.
According to the press statement released on March 24, the violence began around 2:00 PM on March 23, when Sikibung village was allegedly surrounded and subjected to indiscriminate and sustained gunfire. The assault reportedly created widespread panic among residents, particularly women, children, and the elderly, with several bullets striking residential homes. The firing resumed early the next morning, leaving two civilians seriously injured, even as hostilities reportedly continued at the time of issuing the statement.
In a separate but related incident, TNL alleged that at approximately 8:15 PM on the same day, armed Kuki miscreants from Chassad village opened fire using automatic weapons and SBBL guns towards civilian areas in Kamjong headquarters. The firing, which occurred near the Assam Rifles camp and a police station, was termed by TNL as a direct challenge to State and Central authorities. The attack reportedly forced the evacuation of over 40 Tangkhul Naga families, who have since taken shelter in safer locations.
The statement further made serious allegations against the Assam Rifles, claiming that personnel warned local civilians against any form of retaliation and threatened consequences, a move TNL described as indicative of “partiality” and alleged complicity with militant elements.
Describing the incidents as part of a continuing pattern of targeted violence, TNL expressed concern over what it termed the “complete inaction and apparent leniency” of Central and paramilitary forces. It stated that repeated appeals for peace have gone unheeded, emboldening perpetrators and worsening tensions in the region.
The organisation has demanded immediate and decisive intervention from both State and Central governments to halt the violence, ensure civilian safety, and restore normalcy. It further called for the identification and prosecution of those responsible, including any security personnel found complicit, under relevant provisions of law.
Warning of serious consequences, TNL asserted that any further delay in action would amount to a grave failure of governance, for which authorities would be held fully accountable.