Imphal: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has urged the Manipur government to retract the order issued by the District Administration of Kamjong District directing all licensed arms holders to surrender their firearms immediately.
TNL is the apex civil society organization and supreme customary body of the Tangkhul Naga tribe based in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, TNL said that civilians in Kamjong headquarters and other vulnerable villages are living under constant fear due to the ongoing anti-social activities of illegal Kuki militants.
It further stated that at a time when the region continues to face serious security challenges from illegal Kuki militants, this order reflects a significant disconnect from the realities on the ground. Instead of taking decisive action to neutralize these threats and restore public confidence, the administration has chosen to disarm law-abiding citizens.
Disarming lawful citizens in the face of ongoing threats puts their lives at “immediate risk.” Stating that the right to self-defense is fundamental and that licensed arms are regulated under the law and vital for survival in extraordinary circumstances, TNL added that the order appears not only “ill-timed” but also counterproductive to the goal of restoring peace and stability.
Notably, the District Magistrate (DM) of Kamjong, LN Kashung, IAS, on Tuesday issued a directive requiring all arms license holders in Kamjong district to immediately surrender their firearms, ammunition, and licenses at the nearest police stations.