Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Manipur government. They demand the immediate release of four villagers taken into custody during a joint security operation on July 14. Failure to comply will trigger widespread civil unrest.
Security forces launched the sweep in TM Kasom, Sikibung, and Lungphu villages. The operation involved the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and the Punjab, Madras, Maha, and Bihar regiments. Manipur Police stated the mission was an intelligence-based effort to find suspects behind a July 6 ambush near Nungshang Khong. That attack killed two security personnel, Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar CM Singh, as they returned to the 40th Assam Rifles Battalion headquarters.
Villagers claim the operation began around 7:30 a.m. without notice. Troops searched homes, church premises, and quarters. The Sikibung Village Authority filed a report with Litan Police after the 8:30 a.m. apprehension of the men. Residents alleged the police were left in the dark about the movement of troops. Currently, the four men are held at the Porompat Police Station in Imphal East.
The detainees are identified as Wungphayo Kasar (24), Yaoreingam Lungleng (21 or 24), Ninglum Awungshi Shimray (26 or 29), and Vareiyo Lungleng (56). The TNL labeled the detainees as innocent villagers. The group expressed outrage that Tangkhul areas face intense scrutiny while Kuki-inhabited zones remain largely undisturbed. They stated, "Farming activities are continuing unhindered, shops remain open and regulated traffic on NH-202 is moving as planned," according to an official police statement addressing the state of the region. Local leaders remain on edge. The community is watching the clock.
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