The Naga Village Guard, Eastern Command (NVG-EC) has vehemently condemned the killing of 57-year-old village guard Chunjanglung Panmei at Pongringlong Part‑I, a Rongmei Naga settlement near Tupul in Noney district, and expressed deep sorrow at the loss.
In a statement, NVG‑EC said the incident occurred during an ambush by armed Kuki militants on Monday, 8 June 2026, and warned of a strong response.
According to NVG‑EC, the attack took place at about 5 am when a group of villagers were collecting firewood between Pongringlong and Charoi Pondaijang. Witnesses told local leaders that attackers armed with “sophisticated weapons” opened fire, forcing the wood‑gatherers to flee.
While others escaped and returned to the village, Panmei was reported missing and later found dead in the adjacent jungle with multiple gunshot wounds. NVG‑EC said he was captured and shot at close range.
Local residents and community leaders described Panmei as a longstanding village guard who played an active role in village security. “He stood to protect our people and paid for it with his life,” a village representative said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security fears.
A pattern of violence
NVG‑EC noted that Pongringlong has been targeted repeatedly in recent weeks. The organisation referenced two previous assaults — on 26 May and 5 June 2026 — which it attributed to Kuki militants and cadres allegedly operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement, as well as to narcotics‑linked armed groups.
Those incidents, NVG‑EC said, have heightened fear and displacement among Rongmei Naga families in the area.
The statement accused the attackers of escalating hostilities by using heavy weaponry and conducting “brazen ambushes” close to civilian settlements. NVG‑EC called on relevant authorities to investigate the killing promptly and bring the perpetrators to justice, while reiterating its intention to retaliate if aggression continues.
NVG‑EC’s reaction, condolences
In its public message, NVG‑EC “vehemently condemned” the killing, offered condolences to Panmei’s family, and paid tribute to his “honour and bravery.” The organisation warned that the community would seek a “befitting” response if attacks continued and framed Panmei’s death as a sacrifice for the land and its people.