The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has said that the statement given by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) on “Tangkhul militants” accosting six Kuki volunteers at Tangkhul Hundung area in Ukhrul on 17 January 2025 was “not based on ground reality and simply one sided and provocative.

According to Ukhrul Times, CoTU had alleged that the six men were assaulted and their belongings were seized. The Committee had demanded for the “perpetrators” to be presented within 24 hours.

Respong to these claims, the NSCN-IM has said that on 17th January, the Naga Army stationed at Tangkhul Hundung, Ukhrul, stopped one Gypsy with six occupants who initially identified themselves as civilians. “However, when the vehicle was thoroughly checked, those people were found to be armed with 1 AK-47 rifles was found hidden in the vehicle. Four of them were Kuki militants. Along with the 1 AK, military equipments like 15 piece of pouch were also found. On further interrogation they confessed that they are going to Molham Kuki village camp,” it stated.

The NSCN-IM said that the six kuki occupants were released in good spirit after they agreed to abide by the standing directive of the Tangkhul Naga Long that prohibits outsiders to move around with arms and military uniforms in the future.

The NSCN identified the six individuals as Seingam Luphao, Menlal, Goulen, Lhengoumang, Louma and Mangzou.