AKM, NSA and ASU condemn the April 18 Ukhrul killings of unarmed Naga civilians and demand justice with urgent action.
Share
DIMAPUR/MOKOKCHUNG — Multiple organisations, including Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), Naga Scholars' Association (NSA), and Angami Students' Union (ASU), have condemned the April 18 attack on unarmed Naga civilians at TM-Kasom village, Ukhrul district, Manipur, along National Highway 202, in which two persons were killed.
AKM: In a statement, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) President Lanulemba Longchar and General Secretary Aomayang Longkumer expressed shock over the violence targeting defenceless villagers.
“Such a ruthless act against civilians not only shatters human dignity and basic rights but also strikes at the very heart of life itself,” the AKM stated.
It termed the killings a direct blow to peace, security, and the spirit of unity among the Naga people and said the attack threatened the social harmony that binds the community together.
AKM also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. “We stand in unwavering solidarity with them and share in their pain and sorrow,” AKM stated.
Also read: Manipur: 2 killed in Ukhrul firing a day after CM’s peace visit
After Ukhrul ambush, Global Naga Forum calls for crackdown on SoO breaches
AKM stressed that the loss of these precious lives represents not just a personal tragedy for the bereaved but a shared wound for the entire Naga society.
The AKM urged authorities to launch an immediate, unbiased, and comprehensive probe into the incident and to bring the culprits to justice without any further delay. “Any lapse or delay in delivering justice will amount to a grave failure of responsibility,” the statement warned.
AKM urged all stakeholders to act with speed and determination to stop similar tragedies from recurring and to build a future of enduring peace across the land.
NSA: In a separate statement, the Naga Scholars’ Association, New Delhi, condemned what it described as a barbaric and calculated ambush using sophisticated weaponry on innocent, unarmed Naga civilians.
It said the killing of defenceless individuals with sophisticated weapons reflected the premeditated and ruthless nature of those involved.
“It is an unforgivable crime that demands the strongest possible condemnation from all sections of society,” the NSA stated. The association said the incident raised serious concerns about the prevailing security environment in the region.
It alleged that the incident exposed a dangerous nexus that had allowed anti-social elements to function freely, placing innocent civilian lives at constant risk.
The NSA said indigenous Naga people had repeatedly felt marginalised and vulnerable, as though their lives and security were of lesser priority within the broader framework of governance. It stated that such incidents reinforced a perception of neglect and exclusion, where communities were left exposed to violence within their own ancestral lands.
The NSA called upon the concerned authorities to take immediate and stringent action to identify those responsible and bring them to justice in accordance with the law.
ASU: The Angami Students' Union (ASU) said the tragedy should not be viewed merely as a localised incident but as a grave violation of the sanctity of life.
“To us, the right to live in peace is non-negotiable; it is the bedrock of any civilised society, and any act of violence that threatens this peace is an assault on the shared security of the entire Naga family and humanity at large,” the ASU stated.
The ASU called upon the authorities to ensure justice is delivered with transparency and urgency. It said it remains committed to an environment where every Naga can live without fear while honouring shared heritage and common interests.
The union also conveyed sympathies to the bereaved families and reiterated its pledge to advocate for the security of the Naga people and the integrity of their homeland.