The United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women Union (NWU) has called for 3 days total shutdown beginning from the midnight of 20 April to midnight of 23 April 2026, across all Naga areas. A candlelight vigil to be observed on April 23, 2026, at 6:30 PM onwards in all the Naga District Headquarters and during the three days of mourning, the Nagas in the State of Manipur shall suspend all social and economic ties with the Kukis In accordance with Naga customary practice.
The public statement announced by UNC reads, “owing to the unfolding situation, outrageous aggression over our homeland and cold blooded killing of Naga civilians, the United Naga Council convened a Joint Emergency Meeting with ANSAM, NWU and District Apex Bodies on April 19, 2026, UNC office, Tahamzam. The meeting vehemently condemns the barbaric incident of waylaying and killing of Naga civilians at TM Kasom village along NH-202 claiming two precious lives; Mr. Chinaoshang Shokwungnao, 45 years of Tasharvillage, Mr. Yaruingam Vashum, 42 years of Kharasom village, Ukhrul District by the Kuki militants. This premeditated attack on unarmed civilians traveling on a public highway is not merely a crime against individuals but a deliberate assault on the dignity, safety and territorial integrity of the Naga people. The meeting viewed the incident as a direct challenge to the Naga people and a grave disruption of their collective security and right to peaceful existence.
Naga leaders condoled the deaths by observing one minute silence and prayer led by Thamdok Francis, President, CNPO.
The meeting also expressed deep concern and questioned the seriousness and sincerity of the state government in handling the security measure especially in the Naga areas. Ironically, the tragic incident occurred immediately after the visit of the Chief Minister and Home Minister of the Government of Manipur to Ukhrul District on the previous day. They are liable to hold moral responsibility of the incident.
In view of the above, the meeting unanimously resolved as follows:
1. Three-days Total Shutdown: There shall be a total shutdown across all Naga areas from midnight of April 20 to midnight of April 23, 2026 to mourn the death of the two beloved Naga civilians and as a collective expression of condemnation. During this period, all public and private institutions, business establishments, and vehicular movement shall remain suspended, except for emergencies.
2. Candlelight Vigil: A candlelight vigil shall be observed on April 23, 2026, at 6:30 PM onwards in all Naga District Headquarters and at Imphal, to honor the departed souls and to reaffirm our commitment to peace with dignity.
3. Suspension of Ties: During the three days of mourning, the Nagas in the State of Manipur shall suspend all social and economic ties with the Kukis In accordance with Naga customary practice.
‘The United Naga Council appeals to all Naga citizens, organizations and institutions to cooperate fully in observing the above resolutions” stated the statement issued by the Information & Publicity Wing of United Naga Council
The ANSAM statement signed by President, TH. Angteshang Maring and General Secretary, Isaac Charenamei reads, “the All Naga Studentsโ Association, Manipur, records its profound consternation and delivers its most emphatic denunciation of the calculated and execrable outrage perpetrated against innocent Naga civilians, culminating in the barbarous ambuscade and slaughter of two Naga civilians lives; Eno Chinaoshang Shokwungnao, 45 years of Tashar village and Eno Yaruingam Vashum, 42 years of Kharasom village, along National Highway No. 202 at TM Kasom village, Ukhrul District, Manipur on 18th April, 2026. Such an act, reportedly executed by the nomadic Kuki militants, constitutes a flagrant and unconscionable violation of human dignity and an egregious subversion of the most elementary norms of civilised coexistence.This coldly premeditated assault upon defenceless civilians traversing a public thoroughfare bespeaks a depravity of the highest order. It has not merely extinguished innocent lives but has grievously imperilled the delicate architecture of peace, security, and inter-communal concord so arduously sustained over generations. This terror act atrocity is a direct and intolerable affront to the collective honour, security, and inviolable rights of the Naga people. Such sanguinary aggression, bereft of provocation and steeped in malice aforethought, shall neither be countenanced nor permitted to dissolve into impunity.
In the strongest conceivable terms, the Association calls upon the competent authorities to discharge their obligations with immediacy and rigour.
1. Expeditious Justice: The immediate entrustment of the matter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to secure the swift identification, apprehension, and exemplary prosecution of all perpetrators and their confederates.
2. Decisive Accountability: The institution of firm, visible, and uncompromising measures by both State and Central authorities to preclude any recurrence of such atrocities along NH-202 and other vulnerable arteries.
3. Assured Protection: The establishment of a robust and dependable security apparatus to guarantee the safety, dignity, and unimpeded movement of all citizens, ensuring that no community is consigned to a condition of perpetual and insecurity.
4. Endorsement: The Association endorses the demands and concerns put forth by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) to the state government.
The Association further expresses its grave disquiet at the manifest inertia of the security forces stationed in close proximity to the locus of the incident. That such a grievous outrage could transpire within a negligible radius of their deployment raises deeply disconcerting questions regarding operational vigilance and administrative efficacy, rendering the prevailing security dispensation both questionable and deplorable.
At this critical juncture, the All Naga Studentsโ Association, Manipur, exhorts all Naga tribes, student bodies, civil organisations, and village authorities to evince unwavering unity, fortitude, and solidarity. In the face of such external aggression, the inherent and indefeasible right of the Naga people to safeguard their lives, lands, and dignity must be upheld with resolute determination. This incident is not an isolated aberration but a grave and continuing challenge to the collective security and honour of the Naga people. The Association mourns the irreplaceable loss of two precious lives and extends its most profound condolences to the bereaved families. Their memory shall endure as a solemn reminder of the price of injustice. ANSAM reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the relentless pursuit of justice and calls upon every Naga to remain steadfast and united in the defence of our people and our ancestral homeland.
The Association while condemning the heinous crime hereby serves this directive to all the constituent units and sub-ordinate units of ANSAM to strictly implement the joint declarations of UNC, ANSAM and NWU.
Further, the Association implores the general public to extend their maximum support and cooperation during these three days or mourning to show our concerns and solidarity to the precious Naga souls massacred in the hands of the illegal immigrants.
