Killing of two Kuki men : First establish their 'antecedents' call issued
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, March 17 2026: The hasty decision to hand over of the case of killing of two Kuki individuals recently reflects a troubling pattern of selective, inconsistent, and premature actions, Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long and the Katho Katamnao Long (KKL) have alleged in separate statements today.

The citizenship of one of the two persons found dead following a gunfight on March 11 at Thawai village area is being questioned with the village authority (Thoyee village) stating it has no record of the person.

However, without even doing the groundwork with due diligence, the State Government was quick to announce that the case would be handed over to the NIA, said the KKL and the Working Committee of TNL .

The Working Committee of TNL in its statement said the Government must immediately launch a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the abduction of the 21 civilians.

Notably, the Thoyee (Thawai) Village Authority had yesterday asserted that the record of the deceased identified as Thengin Baite was not found in the electoral roll and 2025 Hill House Assessment records.

Wanting to wash its hands clean off the incident and keep the Government afloat, the State was quick in handing over the case to the NIA, while no actions have been taken against armed Kuki militants who abducted and kept 21 Tangkhul Nagas hostages, said the KKL .

While such biases in handling the incident and similar situations in the volatile State could worsen and widen the trust deficit between communities, the Government has always taken a divisive role that could fuel tension, it claimed.

The 21 innocent passengers on their way to Ukhrul were abducted and taken hostages by Kuki militants.

The hostages were released the next day but after looting their money, mobile phones and other valuable items.

The State Government, in response, has remained completely silent and done nothing to arrest the Kuki militants, added the KKL .

It asked if the State Government is too afraid to speak out and take rightful action against the Kuki militants by following due processes under the law.

While accusing sections of Kukis of provoking other communities and playing victims, the KKL further alleged that Central security forces and Kuki militants are sharing the same bunker at Shangkai village.

The Central security forces and Kuki militants are sharing the same bunker at Shangkai village.

An NIA's inquiry must be initiated to probe this as well, it said.

It alleged the 21 passengers were abducted right under the nose of the Central security forces.

If they are not doing their duty diligently, they must be sent back and not waste taxpayers' money on them, said the KKL .

Kuki militants have intimidated and provoked villagers in Sinakeithei and others villages by firing live bullets almost everyday.

If the State Government continues to remain mute spectators to such incidents, it must bear the responsibilities for all unwanted consequences that may arise, it said.

The State Government must act without any biases and take appropriate actions for the betterment of all the people, it added.

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