The President of the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) on Monday addressed a press conference to counter what he termed as “false narratives” circulated through a viral video interview by one Tony Singsit, stating that the claims made in the video had created confusion among the public in both Manipur and Nagaland.
Addressing the media, the TKS President said the organisation was compelled to clarify several “discrepancies and misleading narratives” presented in the video, which first appeared on YouTube before spreading widely on social media platforms.
Expressing concern over allegations linking the Tangkhul community to the recent ambush in Kangpokpi district targeting Thadou religious leaders, the TKS President questioned why “every incident” was being blamed on the Tangkhuls.
He stated that the ambush reportedly occurred between two Kuki villages and asserted that the Tangkhul community itself was presently facing “grave atrocities.” He maintained that allegations against the Tangkhuls were “blatant, unfounded and untrue.”
The TKS President further challenged the credibility of the statements made in the viral interview by citing discrepancies in the number of hostages and survivors related to recent incidents in Senapati district. According to him, reports received from the released hostages indicated that 16 Kuki hostages had been freed, contrary to the claim in the video that only seven had been released.
Similarly, he stated that official records of the state government showed five survivors in a recent attack, whereas the viral video mentioned only one survivor.
“Peace has to be built on truth. When truth is acknowledged, there can be peace. Peace cannot be built on lies or hypocrisy,” the TKS President said while reiterating the organisation’s stand for peaceful coexistence.
Referring to the origins of the ongoing tensions, he said the present conflict was triggered by an incident that took place on February 7, 2026, at Litan. Rejecting claims that the incident arose from a drunken brawl, he alleged that a Tangkhul man identified as Stalin Shimray was brutally assaulted by a group of six or seven Kuki individuals while returning home at night.
According to the TKS President, the altercation began after the flash from a torchlight accidentally fell on the group, leading to heated arguments before the assault allegedly took place.
He further claimed that the February 7 incident was not isolated but part of a series of assaults and attacks faced by Tangkhuls in recent years along National Highway-202, particularly around Litan.
Highlighting past incidents, the TKS President alleged that on December 29, 2020, the head of Sharkaphung village was assaulted in an alleged attempt to murder and had to flee to Litan Police Station for safety. He stated that under Tangkhul customary law, attacks on village heads were considered particularly serious offenses.
He also referred to another alleged assault in July 2025 involving a Winger driver carrying passengers, which reportedly angered Tangkhul youths. However, he said community leaders intervened and held meetings with chiefs of neighbouring Kuki villages, leading to a peaceful understanding aimed at preventing future incidents.
The TKS President said that despite efforts to maintain peace, tensions escalated again following the February 2026 incident and the subsequent burning of 23 houses, which allegedly pushed the situation “out of control.”
He further claimed that during a peace meeting held on February 9 at Litan, attended by leaders including the President of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), gunfire reportedly erupted from the Kuki side near the meeting venue, making it impossible for discussions to proceed.
According to the TKS President, the TNL leadership maintained that any lasting resolution to the conflict would require acknowledgment of “truthful ownership” and recognition of the “rightful ownership” of land in the disputed areas.
He added that the Tangkhul leadership would continue to refer to the position earlier articulated by the Hoho President regarding land and territorial issues.
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