The Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation (TNFO) has issued a strong rebuttal against a statement released by the Kuki CSO Ukhrul regarding the death of a personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), raising serious concerns over what it termed as a “premature and misleading narrative.” In an official statement released on April 10, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of TNFO questioned the intent and credibility of the Kuki CSO for issuing a statement allegedly on behalf of a central force without verified facts or formal confirmation from the BSF.
TNFO stated that any incident involving central forces must be clarified by the concerned authority with transparency and verified information. It warned that early and unverified claims risk distorting public perception and influencing ongoing investigations. The organization further emphasized that central security forces are mandated to operate impartially and cautioned that portraying them as aligned with any particular group undermines institutional credibility and public trust. According to TNFO, ground-level inputs suggest that the deceased BSF personnel was not attacked by Tangkhul Naga groups but allegedly by Kuki militant elements. The statement claimed that the personnel, identified as Jawan Mithun Mandal, was shot from behind while stationed near Mongkot Chepu, indicating the possibility that the firing originated from the western direction. TNFO described the incident as a calculated attempt to disrupt peace efforts and called for a thorough, impartial, and time-bound investigation to establish the truth.
The TNFO also rejected allegations regarding the use of a red-roofed “Pharmila house” by village volunteers, stating that the location is currently occupied by state forces and not involved in any hostile activity. Additionally, it dismissed claims of the existence of a militant bunker at Kholkai hilltop, terming such assertions as baseless and misleading.Condemning the attack reported around 4:46 PM, TNFO said the incident has severely impacted peace and security in the region, instilling fear among civilians in Litan and Sharkaphung areas. The organization demanded swift justice for the deceased BSF personnel and reiterated the need for an unbiased investigation to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure accountability.
