Khanuithot-Khon expresses its strongest condemnation against the acts of violence, severe intimidation, and excessive use of force committed by personnel of the 40th Assam Rifles against Tangkhul Naga civilians, particularly women, during a peaceful protest at New Heaven, Shokvao Village and Finch Corner, Shangshak, Ukhrul District, today.
The statement issued by Khanuithot-Khon stated that “according to eyewitness accounts, video recordings, and reports received from the ground, Tangkhul women and villagers had gathered peacefully to protest the construction of an unauthorized military outpost established without the consent of, consultation with, or prior notification to local village authorities. The protest followed a public statement issued by the Katho Katamnao Long on 4 June 2026, calling upon the Assam Rifles to dismantle the outpost and respect local customary governance.
“Instead of engaging the community’s concerns through democratic dialogue, personnel of the 40th Assam Rifles responded with physical assault, intimidation, and the reckless use of firearms against unarmed civilians exercising their constitutional rights. Reports indicate that between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM today, security personnel opened fire in and around New Heaven, Shokvao Village, and the Finch Corner area, discharging more than 200 rounds of live ammunition and creating widespread panic Sunday’s incident occurred under the direct command of Commanding Officer Sunil Singh of the 40th Assam Rifles Battalion, Shangshak.”
Unlawful Conduct and Human Rights Violations
-Mass Injuries to Women & Elders: A total of 22 Tangkhul women sustained physical injuries after being beaten with wooden sticks and torch batons. A 70-year-old elder, A.S. Khathingla of Shangshak, was among those targeted and assaulted.
-Assault on Leadership: The President of the Katho Katamnao Long was specifically targeted and physically assaulted while leading the peaceful assembly.
-Press Suppression & Evidence Tampering: Media personnel documenting the demonstration were injured. Onlookers recording the confrontation were threatened with knives, and multiple individuals were forced by security forces to delete video and photographic evidence.
Constitutional & Procedural Violations by the Assam Rifles
The actions of the 40th Assam Rifles during this operation represent a severe breach of both the statutory laws of India and international human rights standards. Khanuithot-Khon specifically highlights the following violations:
Breach of Article 19(1)(a) & 19(1)(b) [Constitution of India]: The physical containment, aggressive dispersal, and weapon fire directly violated the citizens’ absolute constitutional rights to assemble peacefully without arms and to exercise freedom of speech. The targeted deletion of phone footage and assault on journalists constitute a severe, unlawful restriction on press freedom and public expression.
Violation of Article 21 [Right to Life and Personal Liberty]: Discharging more than 200 rounds of live ammunition in a populated civilian area directly jeopardized human lives without just, fair, or lawful cause, violating the bedrock of personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution.
Defiance of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956: By establishing a military outpost without consulting, notifying, or gaining the consent of local village authorities, the 40th Assam Rifles bypassed statutory provisions recognizing local customary governance, indigenous land rights, and tribal institutional autonomy.
Violation of Law Enforcement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Established Indian security doctrines dictate that force must only be deployed under strict tenets of necessity and proportionality, utilizing non-lethal dispersal methods first. The immediate escalation to live firearms against unarmed assembly bypasses these principles entirely.
Failure of Gender-Specific Operational Protocols: Statutory procedures explicitly dictate that whenever an assembly consists largely of women, female security personnel must be deployed to lead the engagement and handle the crowd. The handling and physical assault of 22 Tangkhul women by male personnel is a flagrant violation of domestic procedural safeguards and human dignity.
Illegal Obstruction of Justice and Evidence Tampering: Forcing eyewitnesses and journalists to delete digital recordings constitutes an illegal destruction of evidence and witness intimidation, designed to evade legal accountability and administrative oversight.
In light of these grave violations, Khanuithot-Khon demands:
1. Immediate Judicial Inquiry: The institution of an independent judicial inquiry into the operational
orders and events of 7 June 2026.
2. Suspension of Command: The immediate suspension and removal from operational command of the responsible overseeing officers, including Commanding Officer Sunil Singh of the 40th Assam Rifles, pending a full investigation.
3. Criminal Prosecution: The initiation of immediate criminal and departmental proceedings against any personnel found guilty of unlawful use of force, assault, and suppression of evidence.
4. Immediate Removal of Illegal Outpost: Immediately dismantle and remove the disputed outpost at New Heaven, Shokvao Village, to de-escalate tensions, restore public confidence, and ensure the return of peace and normalcy.
“Democratic dissent cannot be answered with intimidation, violence, or gunfire. We call upon the Government of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Manipur State Human Rights Commission to take immediate cognizance of this grave incident to ensure swift, impartial, and uncompromising justice” added the statement issued by the Info & Media Cell, Khanuithot-Khon Voice of The Naga Youth.
