Ukhrul, Manipur | EKHON: The Tangkhul CSOs have urged the Central and State governments to immediately relocate SoO Kuki militant camps from Naga-inhabited areas, identify and deport “illegal immigrants,” and evict “unrecognized and illegal Kuki settlements.” They also demanded “stern legal action” against security personnel allegedly involved in the torching of houses and called for the withdrawal of central security forces from Naga-inhabited areas.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Tangkhul Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) issued a strong press statement condemning a series of violent incidents in and around Litan village in Ukhrul district, alleging targeted attacks on Tangkhul Naga civilians and accusing central security forces of collusion with Kuki militants.
The CSOs said the violence began on the night of February 7, when a Tangkhul Naga villager, identified as Stalin A. Shimray, a schoolteacher from Litan, was allegedly assaulted “without any provocation” by what they described as “Kuki immigrants,” leaving him with grievous injuries.
The organizations further alleged that on February 8, armed Kuki militants “wielding sophisticated weapons” trespassed into Sikibung/Sharkaphung village and torched more than 23 houses, including that of the village headman of Litan. “The Kuki militants further fired rounds of shots towards the populated areas, thereby terrorising the innocent Naga villagers,” the statement said.
Another incident was reported on February 23, when portions of the Lungter Hill Range under Sinakeithei village were allegedly set ablaze. The CSOs claimed that one villager, Aseng Awungshi, was abducted at gunpoint and threatened, while another, Kingson Muivah, narrowly escaped after shots were fired at him.
The statement also raised concerns over the presence of armed cadres operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, alleging that “fully armed SoO cadres have been openly roaming around in the presence of central security forces in what constitutes a deliberate violation of the revised SoO agreement.” It further claimed reports of foreign national militants, including KNA(B) cadres, being present in SoO camps.
Alleging bias, the CSOs stated, “Instead of protecting the land rights and right to life and liberty of the Nagas, the central security forces have been seen openly siding with the Kuki militants,” and questioned the “sincerity of the Central and State Government and its security and intelligence agencies.”
The organizations reiterated their position that Litan/Litan Bazaar is part of the ancestral land of Sikibung/Sharkaphung village and referred to administrative orders issued in September and October 2024 directing Kuki settlers to respect the customs and jurisdiction of the Tangkhul Nagas.
While asserting that “the Nagas’ desire for peace” had led them to extend humanitarian assistance to Kukis during previous ethnic clashes in Manipur, the CSOs alleged repeated violations of mutual understandings and disturbances in several villages, including Litan Sareikhong, Mongkot Chepu, Yaolen, Shangkai, Zalenbung, Lamlai Chingphei, and Thawai Kuki/Sepiyang.
The Tangkhul CSOs have urged the Central and State governments to immediately relocate SoO Kuki militant camps from Naga-inhabited areas, identify and deport “illegal immigrants,” and evict “unrecognized and illegal Kuki settlements.” They also demanded “stern legal action” against security personnel allegedly involved in the torching of houses and called for the withdrawal of central security forces from Naga-inhabited areas.
“Lasting peace cannot come at the cost of land ownership right of the Nagas. The compassion of the Nagas should not be mistaken for weakness,” the statement concluded.
The situation remains tense in parts of Ukhrul district, with calls for restraint and intervention to prevent further escalation.
