Manipur: Armed Kuki militants threaten civilians in Ukhrul district; Apex Naga body issues stern warning to them

Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) said the unexpected and unwarranted act of stopping and threatening innocent commuters and passengers by fully armed Kuki Militants is unacceptable. Not only that, but the Kuki militants also threatened the workers involved in restoration and repair work along the Imphal-Ukhrul route.

In a press statement released, the Tangkhul Naga Long stated the community’s longstanding tolerance towards such provocative and unconcerned behaviour exhibited by the Kuki militants on multiple occasions. The apex Naga body said that even if the act by the Kuki militants was wrong, the community had exercised maximum restraint not wanting to jeopardise the prevailing peace and tranquillity in the region.

The Tangkhul Naga Long has called for an immediate end to these acts of public nuisance within their jurisdiction, which has been so far peaceful and tolerant despite repeated provocations by the Kuki armed militants in the midst of the ongoing unrest.

The statement issued a strict warning to those involved and asserted that any untoward happening due to their provocation will be the responsibility of the perpetrators and they will be solely held accountable for the unwanted consequences that follow. Tangkhul Naga Long in its statement further said that the Kuki villagers reside in the stretch of Ukhrul-Imphal highway should bring immediate end to such nuisances. Otherwise they would be equally blamed in the event of any further untoward incidents. The statement also reads that the warning by the apex Naga body should be treated as the last warning and asked the Kuki militant groups to immediately stop such irresponsible acts in the interest of maintaining peace and harmony in the state.

It should be mentioned that during the 4 months long unrest in Manipur, the Naga inhabited districts like Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong remained peaceful. But the Naga community fears that the repeated provocations by armed Kuki militants may disrupt the peace and harmony of these districts also. Naga community leaders are requesting the government to take necessary steps towards maintaining peace in the Naga inhabited areas.