Candlelight vigils across Naga areas honour victims of ambush
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik / NNN
UkhrulKamjong/Senapati/Chandel/Tamenglong, April 23 2026:
Candlelight vigils were held across Naga-inhabited areas of the State on Thursday to honour the memory of Late Chinaoshang Shokwungnao and Late Yaruingam Vashum, who were killed in an ambush allegedly carried out by Kuki militants on April 18 at TM Kasom village.
In Ukhrul, a solidarity march was conducted prior to the vigil as a mark of respect for the deceased.
Participants raised slogans condemning the killing of the two civilians and called for unity, justice, and protection of their land and rights.
The procession began from Mission Ground and Dungrei Junction and later converged at the District Headquarters Ground, Wino Bazar, where the main candlelight vigil programme was held.
A minute of silence was observed in memory of the departed, followed by the lighting of candles as an act of condolence.
The ceremony was led by Rev Remember, Pastor of Ukhrul Tangkhul Baptist Church (UTBC), Ukhrul.
Speaking on the occasion, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) president Sword Vashum extended solidarity to the bereaved families on behalf of the Tangkhul community.
He stated that the gathering was held to honour the sacrifices of the victims and emphasised the need for unity among the Tangkhul people and the wider Naga community.
He urged the people to remain steadfast in upholding their rights and to work collectively for a better future for the younger generation.
Stressing unity and resilience, he called upon the community to stand together and remain committed to their shared aspirations.
Condolence messages from Veronica Zingkhai, Ramreichan Keishing, and Tennyson Kashung were also read out during the programme.
Similar candlelight vigils were held in Kamjong, Somrei, and Kasom Khullen, as well as in district headquarters including Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, and Tamenglong, reflecting widespread grief and solidarity across the region to mourn the deaths of the two Naga civilians.
Naga organisations, including the United Naga Council (UNC), have accused Kuki militants of carrying out the killings.
Addressing a gathering at Senapati district headquarters during a candlelight vigil, UNC president Ng Lorho alleged that armed groups have been moving freely along highways under the shadow of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
"Central forces are present, yet Nagas are killed in broad daylight on National Highways.
If this is not complicity through inaction, what is it?" he questioned.
He further asserted that protection cannot be selective and security cannot, be conditional, adding that failure to disarm perpetrators of violence against civilians amounts to complicity.
Addressing the Kuki community, Lorho stated that the suspension of ties for three days was a traditional expression of grief and not an act of hostility.
However, he cautioned that their patience, commitment to peace, must never be mistaken for weakness.
The UNC Chief also told the Naga youth to keep their hearts disciplined, reminding them that their strength has always been in their unity, dignity and in their refusal to become what they condemn.
He said people have gathered for the candlelight vigil not for revenge, but for remembrance.
"We gather to tell the families of Chinaoshang and Yaruingam: Your sons did not die unnoticed.
Their names are spoken tonight in every Naga headquarters.
In Imphal, Kohima, in every range and village, in every home where a candle burns" .
The UNC president then expressed his gratitude to the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and various other organisations in Nagaland state for showing solidarity in this time of hardship.
Similar candlelight vigils were also held in Kamjong, Somrei, and Kasom Khullen, reflecting widespread grief and solidarity across the region.
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