Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly condemned the July 29 search and combing operations, demanding an end to what it termed military suppression and holding state and central authorities accountable for the death of a Naga Village Guard.
In a statement issued from its headquarters in Tahamzam on Thursday, the apex Naga body described the recent actions by central security forces in Naga hill areas as “unwarranted, vindictive and heavily militarised”.
The council drew attention to an operation in the Noney Sub-Division on July 29, where an exchange of fire in the Bitiang (Laphok) village area resulted in the death of on-duty Naga Village Guard Lanbilung Riamei (also identified as Lanbimei Riamei) and left several civilians and security personnel injured.
The UNC alleged that innocent local residents were being targeted while those responsible for violence in the region were being left untouched.
The council criticised the continued deployment and approach of the Assam Rifles and CRPF-CoBRA units, arguing that such measures would embolden militant factions operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement rather than restore peace.
Expanding its criticism of the security situation, the UNC recalled the earlier killing of six Naga men following an abduction in Leilon Vaiphei, alleging continued unaddressed abuses linked to KNF-P Kuki militants.
Urging the Government of India to move away from what it described as systemic suppression, the UNC called for a transparent, honest and realistic political framework to address the long-pending Indo-Naga peace process.
While appealing to the Naga public to maintain calm, vigilance and unity, the council warned that both the Centre and the Manipur government would be responsible for any future escalation or provocation in the region.