The NSCN-IM has issued a response to the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), condemning the latter’s statement from Friday as “regretted” and “one-sided and provocative.” The CoTU had alleged that “Tangkhul militants” had waylaid six Kuki-Zo volunteers in the Tangkhul Hundung area, demanding that the perpetrators be handed over to them within 24 hours.
In a statement released today, the NSCN-IM said, “On 17th January, 2025, Naga Army stationed at Tangkhul Hundung, Ukhrul, stopped one Gypsy that had come from Litan side, for routine checking. Initially the 6 occupants of the vehicle claim themselves to be public. However, when the vehicle was thoroughly checked, those people were found to be armed with 1 AK-47 rifles, hidden in the vehicle. Four of them were Kuki militants. Along with the 1 AK, military equipments like 15 piece of pouch were also found.”
Further, the NSCN-IM stated that during interrogation, the individuals confessed they were heading to the Molham Kuki village camp.
The NSCN-IM also maintained that the six “admitted having breached the standing directive of the Tangkhul Naga Long that prohibits outsiders to move around with arms and military uniforms. The six members having agreed to abide by the agreement with the Tangkhul Naga Long in future were released in good faith.”
The names of the six individuals were provided by the NSCN-IM, identifying them as Seingam Luphao, Menlal, Goulen, Lhengoumang, Louma, and Mangzou.