Ukhrul, July 26: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has strongly condemned the arrest of four civilians from Hungpung village by Indian security forces, alleging that the operation involved harassment of women and children and amounted to an unlawful detention of innocent cultivators.
In a press communiqué issued on Sunday, the TNL Working Committee claimed that the four villagers were apprehended on the afternoon of July 25 while working in paddy fields near the Thoubal River in Ukhrul district. According to the organisation, the civilians were later taken towards a security camp but were intercepted by Tangkhul Naga villagers at Leingangching (Lhalo) near Litan Police Station, where they were eventually handed over to the Tangkhul Naga Long following discussions involving senior security officials.
The four detained civilians were identified as Shomi Shokchui (38), KSY Paul (28), Khuriami KSV (36), and Hungreihei Kasomva (39), all residents of Hungpung village. TNL maintained that all four are cultivators and alleged that they were falsely accused of being militants without any supporting evidence.
The organisation alleged that women and children were also harassed during the operation and described the incident as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against Naga civilians.
Condemning what it termed as “excesses and harassment” by security forces, the Working Committee said such incidents threaten the fragile peace achieved after the Indo-Naga ceasefire agreement and revive memories of past violence experienced by the Naga people.
The TNL also linked the arrests to the recent violence at Sharkaphung village, where four civilian volunteers were reportedly injured while protecting the village. It alleged that the latest arrests reflected a continued pattern of arbitrary action by security forces.
Warning of growing public resentment, the Working Committee stated that the patience of the Tangkhul Naga people had been tested beyond its limits. It cautioned that continued alleged oppression could trigger a serious civil resistance movement if such actions persist.
The organisation urged the authorities to respect the rights of civilians and ensure that innocent people are not subjected to arbitrary arrests or harassment.
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