On 22 April at around 4:00pm, a village youth was shot by suspected kuki militants. The bullet pierced through his right heel.
Fierce gun firing by the suspected Armed kuki militants was reported by the villagers at around 8:30PM of 22 April and continued till the morning of 23 April 2026.
The press statement issued by the Media Cell, Sinakeithei Village Authority stated that, “today, the 22nd of April 2026, at around 4:00pm, in Sinakeithei Village, a village youth, Chihanngam Rungsung, aged 30, was shot by Kuki terrorists from a bunker constructed on Lungter Hill of Sinakeithei village. The bullet pierced through his heel, leaving him injured and further underscoring the immediacy and severity of the threat faced by civilians. Notably, the victim was not in any advancing position, but was simply moving within the village itself. This incident makes it unequivocally clear that even basic movement within one’s own village has become life-threatening, and that no civilian space can be considered safe under the current circumstances.
“Sinakeithei, a Tangkhul Naga Village, has been under sustained and coordinated armed attack for over two months now. During this period, Kuki terrorist groups have continued their offensive activities without abatement, progressively encroaching into multiple areas of the village. They have established bunkers, trenches, and camps-particularly across the Lungter Hill Range, which has emerged as a key strategic stronghold for their operations.
“Despite the deployment of the army and security forces within the village and the presence of regular patrols along the Lungter road, the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged. Kuki terrorists continue to open fire indiscriminately and have, on several occasions, used explosives, creating an atmosphere of constant fear, instability, and danger for the residents of Sinakeithei.
“The people of Sinakeithei have largely taken a defensive stance, focusing on protecting our homes, land, community and preventing further occupation by the Kuki terrorists, rather than escalating the conflict. However, this restraint has not deterred continued encroachment. Rather, the Kuki terrorists have been constructing bunkers and fortifications in full view of the deployed security personnel, raising serious concerns among locals regarding the apparent lack of intervention against these unlawful activities.
“The army and the security forces stationed in the area have issued strict warnings that any party initiating fire would face severe consequences. The people of Sinakeithei have respected these directives and have adhered to them with notable restraint and discipline. However, despite these clear warnings, firing by Kuki terrorists have continued without restraint. While there have been instances where the army and the security forces responded-seemingly with warning shots-there appears to be little follow-through in enforcing the consequences they had outlined. This disparity between compliance on one side and continued violations on the other has raised serious concerns among the villagers regarding the consistency and effectiveness of enforcement on the ground.
“A further concern repeatedly raised by villagers is the pattern of aerial surveillance. Whenever violent incidents are initiated by Kuki terrorists, helicopters are quickly observed hovering over Tangkhul Naga-inhabited areas. This has led to a growing perception among residents that such responses are focused more on assessing whether the Tangkhul Nagas might retaliate, rather than monitoring the actual source of aggression or undertaking immediate corrective action at the point of origin.
“This perception is reinforced by what many describe as a disproportionate response on the ground. The actions of the army and the security forces are increasingly seen as uneven-strictly restraining the people of Sinakeithei while appearing comparatively passive toward ongoing terrorist activities. Locals often liken this to a situation where misconduct is overlooked on one side, while those bearing the consequences are subjected to greater scrutiny and control. Such an approach has deepened mistrust and frustration among the affected population.
“When questioned, the army and the security forces stated that the terrorists are firing from distances beyond effective shooting range. However, multiple accounts from villagers contradict this assertion, noting that bullets have reached residential areas, damaging homes, property, and today has injured a civilian. This clearly indicates not only that the firing is within lethal range, but also that it poses a direct and ongoing threat to civilian lives.
“In spite of these ongoing developments-the continued firing, the construction of Kuki terrorist fortifications, and the encroachment into village land-the locals feel that the response from the forces has been inadequate. Many believe they are being asked to remain passive, even as the risk to life and property grows daily. This has led to a deepening sense of fear, frustration, and helplessness among the people of Sinakeithei, who feel increasingly exposed in a situation where decisive intervention remains absent.
“The Kuki terrorists have effectively captured the parts of Sinakeithei village, establishing a dominant position over the area and using it to further consolidate their presence. Meanwhile, the people of Sinakeithei are being forced into a position of passivity, compelled to endure the ongoing reality that their own land is being occupied and exploited. Despite witnessing this gradual loss of control over our own territory, we remain constrained, unable to respond freely, and left to grapple with a growing sense of injustice, vulnerability, and abandonment as the situation continues unchecked.
“In a situation where Kuki armed terrorists have encroached upon village land, established fortified positions, and are carrying out repeated attacks causing injury to innocent civilians, the people of Sinakeithei are not only facing a security crisis but also a fundamental threat to their right to life and livelihood.
“This situation reflects not only a grave security failure but also a growing humanitarian concern. The people of Sinakeithei are living under constant threat, with diminishing confidence in the adequacy of protection being provided.
“In light of these oircumstances, it must be emphasized that the right to protect one’s life and property in the face of immediate and unlawful threat is recognized under the Indian Penal Code. Under the Indian Penal Code, the right to private defence permits individuals to protect their own lives, the lives of others, and their property against immediate and unlawful aggression. The people of Sinakeithei, facing persistent and direct threats, find themselves in a situation where their fundamental right to safety and survival is under severe strain. When such threats are real, ongoing, and life-endangering and when effective protection from authorities is not forthcoming-civilians are placed in an extremely difficult position.
In such circumstances, the people have the right to take necessary and proportionate defensive measures strictly for the purpose of:
Protecting human life from imminent harm
Preventing further unlawful entry and occupation of their land
Safeguarding homes and essential means of survival
The people of Sinakeithei do not seek conflict. They seek security, protection, and the restoration of their land and dignity under the law. The continued occupation of their territory and attacks on innocent civilians raise serious concerns about the enforcement of law and the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India” added the statement issues but the Media Cell, Sinakeithei Village Authority
