The Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF), Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, has strongly condemned the killing of a Naga civilian in Kangpokpi district and called for a review of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed between Kuki underground groups, the Government of India and the Government of Manipur.
In a statement, the organisation alleged that Kuki underground groups operating under the SoO arrangement have been involved in abduction, killings and other criminal activities since 2023 despite being bound by ground rules under the tripartite agreement. It claimed that the agreement has failed to ensure accountability and effective monitoring of the cadres.
Referring to the killing of Chungjanglung Panmei, 58, a resident of Pongringlong Part-I (Charoipandongba) village under Saitu Assembly Constituency in Kangpokpi district, ZYF alleged that cadres of a Kuki underground group were responsible for the incident on May 8, 2026. The organisation further claimed that the victim, a member of the Village Authority elected under the Manipur Village Authorities (In Hills Areas) Act, 1956, was targeted after an earlier attempt on his life had failed.
The organisation also expressed concern over the alleged abduction of 18 Naga civilians on May 13, 2026, claiming that the whereabouts of six persons, including religious leaders, remain unknown despite the release of 12 others two days later.
According to ZYF, repeated incidents involving armed groups under the SoO arrangement have contributed to tensions among indigenous communities and adversely affected law and order in the state. It argued that the objective of confining cadres to designated camps has not been effectively achieved and urged the authorities to reassess the agreement.
The organisation further advocated the reorganisation of inter-district boundaries based on administrative convenience, arguing that such a measure could help improve governance and reduce recurring inter-community conflicts.
ZYF also raised concerns over the Centre’s reported plan to deploy additional Cobra Commando battalions in the state, stating that a force-based approach without addressing underlying issues could aggravate the situation. It maintained that stronger measures are needed to detect and deport illegal immigrants and to address factors contributing to the ongoing conflict.
