The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly condemned the heavily militarized search and combing operation being carried out by central security forces in Naga hill areas, terming it as ‘unwarranted and vindictive.’ In a statement, the UNC stated that the Council has been observing the modus operandi of government agencies and found no genuine efforts to contain the situation other than dramatic staging of unwarranted operations in areas belonging to the aggrieved party.
The UNC expressed shock over the display of state high-handedness where personnel of CRPF’s CoBRA units carried out indiscriminate search operations across villages under Noney sub-division, resulting in the cold-blooded killing of a Naga Village Guard (NVG), Lanbilung Riamei, while on duty protecting his own village and inflicting severe bullet injuries to NVGs and civilians. The Council stated that the incident is nothing but a state-sponsored murder and holds the forces and the government directly responsible.
The UNC also strongly condemned the illegal arrests and detention of Naga leaders, namely KC Savio, president of Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), Gailanchung Kamei, and Dr. Aku Newme, general secretary of RNCM and Joint Tribes Council (JTC) in the wee hours of July 30 at Imphal in a cowardly midnight crackdown by the Manipur police commandos. The Council stated that this Gestapo-style raid on Naga leadership is utterly illegal and unacceptable provocation.
The UNC alleged that the state has chosen to persecute the victims instead of delivering justice. The Council stated that what Manipur is witnessing today is not governance but total tyranny, showcasing the weakest democratic form of government in the history of Manipur by the present Chief Minister of Manipur. The UNC further stated that the incident has unfolded when the Naga people have been bleeding under relentless foreign and domestic aggression.
The Council expressed utter shock and dismay, stating that despite well-documented terror activities by SoO Kuki militants against indigenous people, the agencies of the government of India have chosen to militarize Naga areas instead of acting against the perpetrators of inhumane crime against humanity. The UNC warned that they will not remain mute spectators to any action that endangers the lives, land, and future of the Naga people.
The UNC appealed to all Naga people to remain calm, vigilant, and united, strengthening their collective position to defend themselves from all forms of aggression, be it from within or without. The Council also cautioned that any further provocation will be solely responsible by the Centre and state government.
