Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC), an apex Naga body in Manipur, has appealed to the people, particularly the Nagas, to maintain peace and unity following an outbreak of unrest in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Sunday.
The tension arose after an enraged mob set fire to the Wung Tangkhul Region office of the NSCN-IM, in retaliation for the killing of four members of the NSCN Eastern Flank in Kamjong district on Saturday.
“Together, let us shun violence, march in unison, and work towards healing,” the UNC stated in a statement issued on Monday, appealing for unity to safeguard the future of the community. The Naga body also called on the Naga people to stand together, reject violence, and support one another during this difficult period.
Describing the incident as a “tragic and deeply distressing event” that has shaken the community at a time when unity is critical, the council condemned the killings as “fratricidal.” It further stated that such acts of violence among brethren only deepen existing challenges and threaten the collective future of the Naga people in the region.
Strongly condemning the killings, the UNC urged the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) to clarify the circumstances leading to the incident. It also called for decisive action against those responsible, demanding a thorough investigation and swift punitive measures to ensure justice is delivered without delay.
The council also paid tribute to the deceased personnel, honoring them as valiant individuals. It expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and conveyed its deepest condolences, praying for strength and healing for those grieving the loss.
The UNC’s appeal for peaceful coexistence came a day after Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called on the Tangkhul Naga brothers and sisters of Ukhrul district to diffuse the tension and assist the state government in maintaining law and order.
Ukhrul district witnessed widespread violence on Sunday, leaving the border district tense. The Chief Minister, in an official press statement, said he was saddened by the unfortunate incident, emphasizing that “violence cannot bring any solution.”
He appealed to all to shun any form of violence, adding that the government has taken the development seriously and that “the law should take its own course.”