Ukhrul, Manipur | EKHON: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has raised a serious concern over the Manipur government’s decision to transfer the investigation into the deaths of two Kuki individuals to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They were reportedly killed during the crossfire between the Kuki militants and Tangkhul Naga village volunteers at Thawai of Manipur’s Ukhrul district.
The committee described the move as “deeply questionable,” alleging that it reflects a pattern of selective, inconsistent, and premature decision-making by the state authorities.
At the centre of the controversy is the identity of one of the deceased, Thengin Baite, which the committee claims has not been conclusively established. Citing an official statement from the Thawai Village Authority dated March 14, the TNL stated that the name does not appear in electoral rolls or local records of Thawai Kuki village, contradicting widely circulated claims about his background.
“Referring a case to a premier agency like the NIA without establishing basic facts is procedurally unsound and raises serious concerns about attempts to shape a narrative before determining the truth,” the statement read.
The committee also highlighted what it termed as “selective urgency” in handling major incidents. It pointed to the case of Vungzagin Valte, a sitting MLA from Thanlon constituency in Pherzawl district, who was brutally attacked during ethnic violence in Imphal on May 4, 2023, and later died from his injuries on February 20, 2026.
Despite the gravity of the attack on an elected representative, the case has not been handed over to the NIA. The TNL noted that Valte had himself written to the Prime Minister in September 2025 requesting such a probe, but no action was taken.
Further concerns were raised over the reported abduction of 21 civilians on March 11 along the Ukhrul–Imphal stretch of National Highway 202. The incident allegedly took place in broad daylight in the presence of Indian security forces. According to the committee, there has been no visible accountability, investigation, or clarification regarding the incident.
The TNL also accused Kuki militant groups of continuing to block NH-202 since March 12, severely affecting movement and essential supplies for the Tangkhul Naga community. It termed the blockade a violation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between militant groups and the Government of India, criticizing the state government’s “silence and inaction” on the issue.
“When viewed collectively, these incidents reveal a troubling pattern of selective action and selective silence,” the statement said, adding that justice must be applied equally across all communities and cases.
The committee has demanded immediate clarification on the basis for referring the case to the NIA, a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the abduction of 21 civilians, accountability of security personnel present during the incident and immediate removal of blockades on NH-202.
It further called for the scrapping of the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups, alleging that they have failed to uphold its terms and have contributed to instability in the region. The TNL warned that failure to act “decisively and fairly” could deepen mistrust and further destabilize the already fragile situation in Manipur.
