The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) questioned why the Kukis are being “given a free hand” to pursue what it described as a killing spree in the hills of Manipur, and strongly condemned the deadly ambush by armed Kuki cadres in Langka village, Kangpokpi district, which left two Naga farmers dead and two others injured on Friday morning.
According to a TNL statement on Friday, around 50 militants—led by Jangboi Kipgen of the Kuki National Front (KNF) and supported by members of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA)—launched the assault at approximately 7:30 a.m. The attackers opened fire on villagers, killing Wiriliangbou Chawang, 35, and Kawidinang Abonmai, 54, while injuring Maliangjinang Abonmai, 50, and Namthiulungbou Prinmai, 45.
The committee alleged that the attack follows a series of provocations, including the burning of abandoned houses in Kailenjang on 10 August 2026, which the Kukis allegedly set ablaze and then falsely blamed on the Naga community.
TNL further pointed out that both KNF and KRA operate under the Government of India’s Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, yet they continue to engage in armed violence despite a 15‑day ultimatum issued by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand for armed volunteers to surrender their weapons.
“All this while, the Naga civil volunteers have been maintaining restraint and restricting themselves to defending the village and protecting innocent civilians,” the TNL statement said, adding the armed Kukis have been advertently and strategically taking advantage of the situation against the Nagas.
The committee urged the state and central governments to rein in the Kuki militants, accusing them of involvement in ambushes, abductions, extortion, loot, arson, and killings. It then questioned why the Kukis appear to be “given a free hand” to pursue what it described as a killing spree in the hills of Manipur.
“We demand that the State and Central governments rein in and initiate necessary actions against the Kuki militants under the SoO agreement, the armed Kuki villagers, the Kuki narco‑terrorists and the illegal migrants, from causing terror towards the peace‑loving Nagas,” the statement warned, adding that failure to act promptly could further escalate tensions.
TNL also expressed condolences to the bereaved families of Chawang and Abonmai, reaffirming the Tangkhul community’s commitment to Naga unity and its readiness to stand with fellow Nagas in the face of adversity.
The incident adds to a growing cycle of retaliatory violence in Manipur’s hill districts, where ethnic tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities have flared repeatedly over land, resources, and political representation.
