Tangkhul Militants Assault Unarmed Kuki-Zo Volunteers, CoTU Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum

In a shocking incident this morning, six unarmed Kuki-Zo volunteers were ambushed by alleged proscribed Tangkhul militants in the Tangkhul Hundung area. The volunteers, who were on a duty-roster exchange tasked with safeguarding Phailengmol areas in Kangpokpi district, have been protecting the region from sustained aggression by the majoritarian Meitei community over the past two years.

According to the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), the militants physically assaulted the volunteers, confiscated their vehicles, and seized personal belongings before releasing them under the mediation of a Tangkhul Hundung Civil Society Organization leader.

This act of hostility has drawn sharp condemnation from COTU, which has accused the Tangkhul militants of undermining the neutrality claimed by the Naga community in the ongoing communal conflict. "The Nagas of Manipur, known for their good Samaritan nature, must uphold their neutral stance and hold accountable those within their fraternity, such as the Tangkhuls in Hundung and Singkap areas, who are determined to destabilize peace," the statement urged.

COTU has issued an ultimatum demanding that the culprits be brought to the concerned within 24 hours. They have warned that failure to act will hold the Tangkhul Hundung and Singkap areas solely responsible for any escalation of tensions.

This incident underscores the fragile state of inter-community relations in Manipur, where clashes over land and ethnic identity have created deep divisions. The Kuki-Zo community has been at the forefront of defending their territories against external aggression, while repeated acts of provocation threaten to inflame an already volatile situation.