The NSCN-IM has alleged that the recent “Litan Burning” incident involved what it described as “scorched-earth tactics” carried out by Kuki militants, allegedly in collusion with Indian security forces.
In a press statement released through its MIP, the NSCN-IM rejected what it termed a “false picture” presented by Kuki frontal organisations and claimed that the incident began after an altercation in which “Kuki drunkards” allegedly assaulted a Tangkhul individual. It further alleged that Kuki militants used the incident as a pretext to target Tangkhul houses.
The NSCN-IM claimed that security personnel were “blatantly seen joining” Kuki militants, with some allegedly wearing masks to conceal their identity. It also alleged that the militants operated with the “patronage” of security forces and accused India’s Ministry of Home Affairs of giving a “green signal,” describing the incident as a “premeditated arson” against Tangkhul Nagas.
The group criticised Kuki organisations, including the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), for allegedly portraying themselves as victims and blamed them for what it termed a “twisted narrative.”
It further accused Indian security forces of a “breach of rule of law” and “grave violation of human rights.”
The NSCN-IM described the incident as a “symbol of aggression against the Naga nation” and stated that it would “stand the ground come what may to defend the land of the God given Naga nation.”
The claims made in the statement could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report. Responses from Kuki organisations and Indian security authorities were not immediately available.
