Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Imphal: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has issued a formal condemnation following allegations of excessive force by Assam Rifles personnel during protests in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Sunday, June 7. The confrontations occurred at New Heaven, Finch Corner, and Shokvao village as local women, students, and elderly residents demonstrated against a proposed military outpost.
Protesters argued that the outpost was being established without consent from village authorities and sat on land under Shokvao jurisdiction. The TNL stated that the protest was carried out democratically, yet security personnel responded with automatic rifle fire, tear gas, and baton charges. The organization alleged that the commanding officer of the 40 Assam Rifles Battalion, Colonel Sunil Singh Lunthi, personally led a baton charge against women at Finch Corner.
The TNL described the actions of the security forces as unjustified and stated that they were inconsistent with the conduct expected of a professional paramilitary force. According to the organization, more than 22 women required medical care at Ukhrul District Hospital following the incident, with some in critical condition. In its official statement, the TNL questioned the role of elected representatives, noting that the group "described the actions of the security personnel as unjustified and inconsistent with the conduct expected of a professional paramilitary force."
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