UNC condemns security operations in Naga hill areas, alleges arrests and deaths
The United Naga Council condemned a militarised search operation in Naga hill areas and criticised arrests of Naga leaders, alleging wrongful detentions and a N
The United Naga Council (UNC) has condemned what it called a heavily militarised search and combing operation by central security forces in Naga hill areas. In a statement, the UNC said the action was unwarranted and vindictive and argued that security agencies were focusing on villages rather than where it claims armed groups are actually based.
UNC alleges fear after raids and arrests
The UNC said the operation has led to wanton arrests of civilians and farmers, and it claimed this has increased fear among local residents. It also criticised the manner of the searches carried out in villages under Noney sub-division, saying CRPF’s CoBRA units conducted what it described as indiscriminate searches.
The UNC expressed shock over an incident it linked to these operations, alleging that a Naga Village Guard named Lanbilung Riamei was killed while on duty protecting his village. The council also said severe bullet injuries were inflicted on village guards and civilians during the same episode. The UNC called the event a state-sponsored murder and said the forces and the government should be held responsible.
Criticism over crackdown on Naga leadership
The UNC further condemned arrests and detention of Naga leaders on the night of July 30 in Imphal. It named KC Savio, president of Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), and Gailanchung Kamei and Dr Aku Newme, general secretary of RNCM and Joint Tribes Council (JTC). The UNC alleged these detentions were carried out through a “midnight crackdown” by Manipur police commandos and called the raid “Gestapo-style,” saying it was illegal and unacceptable.
According to the UNC, those arrested and later released were victims connected to the Leilon Vaiphei village massacre, and it said they had been seeking justice for those killed. The council argued that instead of delivering justice, the state chose to persecute them.
The UNC also linked its criticism to continuing violence in Manipur. It said since February 7, 2026, armed Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO), especially KNF-P, have carried out attacks, killings and abductions of Naga civilians across different locations. The council said it remains concerned that, despite these allegations, government agencies have chosen to target Naga areas through continued militarisation by sections of Assam Rifles and CRPF-CoBRA, including around periods it associates with militant strikes.
