The Working Committee of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has strongly condemned the brutal killing of two civilians on 18 April 20206 near Yaolen Kuki village, Ukhrul District, Manipur.
The press statement issued by the Working Committee of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) stated that “we are extremely infuriated over the brutal attack on civilians near Yaolen Kuki village at around 2.35pm on Saturday by Kuki SoO cadres resulting to the dead of two Tangkhul Naga civilians, Chinaoshang Shokwungnao (45 years), son of Ruichumhao Shokwungnao, a retired Indian army cadre of the Naga Regiment from Tashar village and Yaruingam Vashum (42), son of Thuimi Vashum of Kharasom CC village.
“The grave incident is beyond words for anyone to describe the savagery of the Kukis, who have gone beyond the limit of human conscience and morality. Ever since the conflict between the Tangkhul Nagas and the Kukis started in early February, Kuki militants have been openly attacking civilians in Litan, Laho, Sinakeithei, Sikibung and Thawai.
“The passengers including women, children and ailing persons were travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul and had traversed through Mahadev and Litan with the help of security escorts. The attack was carried out as soon as the escort team had returned towards Litan. As many as six (6) vehicles were travelling and hit by the Kuki militants who advertently resorted to targeting the civilians with snipers and other sophisticated long-range rifles.
“The apathetic silence of the State and Central forces, who have openly allowed the atrocities of the feral Kukis to continue unchecked, has emboldened the Kuki militants to carry out such an inhuman attack. The inability of the security forces to comb out illegal militants and to undertake area domination exercises begs the question on whether the security forces are incompetent or simply complicit with the Kuki militants. As such, the responsibility for the dead of the two martyrs now lies solely in the hands of the State and the Central Government.
“In view of this grave incident that happened just a day after the visit of Chief Minister Y Khemchand to Ukhrul and after his official assurance of providing RoP along the Highway and Security Escort, the incident today clearly highlights the power and the integrity of the State Government into serious question.
“The Working Committee of TNL demands the State Government to immediately undertake a combing operation at Yaolen and adjoining Kuki villages” added the statement issued by the Media Cell, Working Committee, TNL.
