Ukhrul, Manipur | EKHON: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has issued a rejoinder to allegations made by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) regarding an alleged coordinated militant build-up involving Meitei and Tangkhul groups.
In a statement released on April 26, the TNL rejected KIM’s April 25 press release, titled “Coordinated Meitei-Tangkhul Militant Build-Up Threatens Kuki-Zo Civilians” where it claimed that over 50 Arambai Tenggol cadres are stationed at Sikingbung and are operating in coordination with Tangkhul militants. TNL called the claim “misleading” and “factually baseless.”
The organization accused KIM of attempting to garner sympathy by misrepresenting the situation on the ground.
The TNL asserted that the current tensions between Naga and Kuki groups were initiated earlier this year, alleging that armed Kuki groups had launched attacks on several Tangkhul Naga villages, including Kasom, Laho, Sharkaphung, Thawai, Tanrui, and Sinakeithei. According to the statement, these attacks were sustained and well-armed, raising concerns about the scale and coordination of the violence.
The Tangkhul apex body further alleged that certain Kuki militant factions operating under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements were being used as “mercenaries”. It also accused these factions of carrying out repeated assaults while facing little enforcement action.
A central point of contention was KIM’s allegation that members of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol were present in the Sharkaphung area. The TNL categorically denied this, stating that no such presence existed and dismissing the claim as “entirely fabricated.”
The TNL called on the Government of India to take decisive steps to restore peace in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts. It specifically urged authorities to review and dismantle SoO camps in the region, arguing that their presence contributes to instability.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Ukhrul and Kamjong district remains concerning as conflict continues to flare up periodically.
