Imphal: The Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC) has issued a strong rebuttal to a press statement by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) regarding the burning of houses at Chingmang Leimakhong on July 11, 2026, calling the claims "malicious, misleading and fabricated."
In a statement issued by its Information and Publicity Wing, the FNCC accused COTU of resorting to "false propaganda, deliberate distortion of facts and disinformation" since the outbreak of the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. The committee alleged that COTU has "consistently promoted inflammatory narratives that have deepened communal divisions, obstructed justice and fuelled hostility."
Counter-Allegations on Arson
The FNCC specifically rejected COTU's allegation implicating the Naga community in the arson. The committee claimed there exists "credible video evidence, eyewitness accounts and other material evidence" indicating that houses belonging to both Meitei and Naga families at Chingmang Leimakhong were "set ablaze by Kuki refugees." The statement accused COTU of persisting with a "fabricated version of events" to "shield the perpetrators and manipulate public perception."
Questions on Credibility of Statements
The FNCC also highlighted what it termed "glaring inconsistency" in public statements by Kuki civil society organisations. The committee referenced a claim by a "prominent Kuki refugee leader" and President of Kuki CSOs who allegedly admitted on camera that six Naga hostages were killed in an "emotional outburst," only to retract the admission the following day. The FNCC described this as a "disturbing pattern of shifting narratives" that undermines credibility.
Call for Investigation
The committee urged the Government of Manipur and concerned agencies to "resist all forms of pressure, intimidation and misinformation" and ensure that investigations proceed "solely on the basis of evidence and the rule of law." It warned that "justice delayed or diluted will only embolden those who believe they can escape accountability."
The statement concluded with a call for citizens to "reject violence, misinformation and stand firmly for truth, justice and lasting peace in the region."
This republication is based on the official press statement issued by the Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC), dated July 12, 2026. All allegations of criminal conduct attributed to specific groups or communities are reproduced as claims made by the issuing organisation. NEWire.in does not independently verify these claims. The article preserves the original attributions and uses quotation marks for contested assertions. This publication reports the FNCC's position without endorsement.
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