TNL calls 24-hr total shutdown
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Imphal/Ukhrul, June 08 2026: Even as scores of civil society organisations including the UNC and AMUCO strongly condemned Central security forces for assaulting women protesters in Ukhrul yesterday, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has imposed a 24-hour total shutdown from 7 pm of June 8 within its jurisdiction.

The apex Tangkhul body said the total shutdown has been imposed according to a resolution adopted in the Joint Coordinating meeting held at the TNL office, Ukhrul today (June 8) .

Medical, water supply, electricity and media related services will be exempted from the purview of the shutdown, it said.

The TNL said an "illegal Assam Rifles outpost" installed at New Heaven along NH-202 must be removed immediately.

Dozens of peaceful women protesters were brutally assaulted using excessive force by Assam Rifles personnel at New Haven, Shokvao and Finch Corner yesterday, said the TNL .

It added those seriously injured in the assault included the president of the Katho Students' Organisation.

The Government and the authorities concerned must take up strict action against personnel involved in the assault on the women demonstrating peacefully, said the TNL .

The United Naga Council (UNC), in a statement, said it strongly condemns acts of violence and coercion perpetrated against Naga civilians.

The brutal lathi charge and firing by Assam Rifles on June 7 at New Heaven, Shokvao, Finch Corner and Shangshak village resulted in serious injuries to unarmed womenfolk including M Kasar, president of the Katho Student Organization.

At least 22 women were hospitalised, it said.

The use of excessive force against unarmed womenfolk exercising their democratic right to protest is unacceptable and alien to Naga culture, said the UNC, demanding the removal of the AR outpost at New Heaven.

The "illegal" AR outpost was installed without the prior permission or consent of the village headman and village authorities, and it directly violates the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 which asserts that no military camp shall be set up in Naga villages without the explicit consent of the village authority, said the UNC .

"This incident [of use of force] reflects a growing pattern of State coercion against Naga civilians, where assault on unarmed womenfolk is used as a deliberate act of intimidation to suppress legitimate democratic expression..." Such actions will not be tolerated, it said.

The UNC asserted that an immediate judicial inquiry into the lathi charge and firing upon civilians especially women must be initiated and the Assam Rifles outpost at New Haven must be removed, it said.

The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Committee on Human Rights (COHR) and Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) in a joint statement strongly condemned the brutal use of force by Central security forces and termed it "immoral".

The associations accused the Central security forces of being biased, and added people have lost faith in the force.

The Working Committee, Tangkhul Naga Long and Kharar Khon too condemned the excessive use of force by security forces and demanded an impartial investigation into the incident.

The organisations also demanded the Government to remove the AR outpost from New Heaven.

The Naga Peoples' Union, Imphal, said a written public apology must be issued by the concerned, and the women injured in the assault should be provided unconditional medical care, psychosocial support and compensation.

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