Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), the apex student body of the Tangkhul Naga community in Manipur, has accused certain Kuki groups of spreading “false propaganda” over recent tensions in Ukhrul district and demanded respect for Naga ancestral land rights.
Addressing the media at the Ukhrul Press Club, TKS president Ramreichan Keishing criticised what he described as repeated attempts to blame Tangkhuls and the NSCN-IM for incidents of unrest in the region.
Keishing asserted that the NSCN-IM should not be portrayed as a Tangkhul militant group, stating that it is a recognised Naga political organisation engaged in dialogue with the Government of India.
He also condemned what he termed “fabricated narratives” circulating on YouTube and social media platforms regarding the situation in Litan, specifically naming Kuki Students’ Union leader Tony Singsit.
According to the TKS leader, tensions escalated following the alleged assault of a Tangkhul Naga man by Kuki individuals in Litan on February 7 this year.
Keishing claimed that despite previous incidents involving Tangkhul villagers, including alleged attacks in 2020 and 2025, the community had exercised restraint.
He further stated that after the February 7 incident, an undertaking was signed at Litan Police Station in which Kuki village chiefs allegedly admitted fault and agreed to respect Tangkhul traditional land rights.
However, Keishing alleged that violence escalated the following day during a meeting attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, village chiefs and security officials, after armed individuals reportedly opened fire, forcing the meeting to be abandoned.
He also alleged that 23 Tangkhul houses were subsequently torched in Litan.
Calling for accountability, the TKS president said genuine peace efforts could begin only after those responsible acknowledged wrongdoing and apologised.
The statement comes amid continuing tensions in parts of Manipur following recent incidents of violence and abductions involving different tribal communities.