Imphal, April 22: The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) for allegedly misleading the Naga community over the recent killing of two Tangkhul civilians in Manipur.
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| Security forces during the shutdown called by the United Naga Council trying to prevent unrest. |
In a press statement issued on April 22, KOHUR claimed that the UNC and TNL prematurely blamed the Kuki community for the ambush and killing incident that occurred between two Tangkhul villages on April 17. The organisation described the allegation as unfounded and prejudicial, noting that the matter is currently under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
KOHUR stated that such statements made before the completion of an official investigation could prejudice the ongoing probe and further inflame communal tensions in the state.
The organisation also recalled an earlier incident on March 11, when two Kuki men - identified as Thengin Baite and Kamgouang - were allegedly kidnapped and killed by Tangkhul Naga elements. According to KOHUR, the Kuki community exercised restraint in the aftermath of the incident in the interest of peace and communal harmony.
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KOHUR said that community members released more than 20 civilians who had been taken into custody by villagers after the incident and accepted the government’s proposal to hand over the investigation to the NIA. It also stated that the community performed the last rites of the victims while placing faith in state institutions to deliver justice.
The organisation further accused the UNC and TNL of instigating communal tensions through calls for a three-day shutdown beginning April 20.
KOHUR appealed to all communities in Manipur to exercise restraint and urged authorities to ensure an impartial investigation into the recent killings.
