United Naga Council accuse Assam Rifles of indiscriminate bombing at Awontang in Kamjong district

Accusing the assam rifles of indiscriminate bombing at Awontang in Kamjong district on October 17, United Naga Council demands immediate removal of the Assam Rifles from Naga areas, especially from the Kamjong area, and replacement by any other neutral forces like Border Security Forces.

The United Naga Council expresses its strongest condemnation and profound outrage over the ‘heinous and coordinated attacks’ on Naga villages in Kamjong areas.

“The council is shocked that on 17th October 2026, while there was an exchange of firing between the Kuki National Army- Burma (KNA-B), the Burma-based Kuki militants, and Naga village volunteers at the Kamjong area, the Assam Rifles resorted to indiscriminate bombing at Awontang, thereby terrorizing innocent Naga civilians and aiding the aggressors”, UNC issued a release on Monday.

Stating that it has taken strong exception over the ‘reckless and irresponsible activities’ of the section of the Assam Rifles in Naga areas UNC stated that the reported bombing of a Naga village at Awontang in the Kamjong by the Assam Rifles is outrageous, condemnable, and unbecoming of a force that claims to be the 'Friends of the Hill People.

Instead of protecting lives and maintaining law and order, the Assam Rifles has been creating all kinds of problems in the area, especially in the Kamjong area, allegedly harassing villagers, and now resorting to indiscriminate shelling/bombing of civilian-inhabited areas the release added.

“This is a grave violation of humanrights. We are also deeply anguished to learn that KNA-B Kuki militants from across the border torched and completely burnt down Naga villages Pilong and Skipe, rendering hundreds of Naga villagers homeless on October 18. This is a clear act of cross-border invasion and ethnic cleansing”, UNC stated.

Further, the council also accused the 11 Assam Rifles of abducting N. Chithung, member of Naga Village Guard and a resident of Kangpat Khullen village while he was defending his own village from alleged external aggression carried out by the KNA-B & VVEZ and brutally tortured him in custody sustaining serious injuries and severe cut on his head from rifle butt.

Questioning and condemning the action of the assam rifles, UNC stated that the incident is not isolated but only shows a stark reality that when Nagas are attacked by the kukis, Assam Rifles attacks the Nagas.

UNC also questions whether there is a nexus between the Kukis and the Assam Rifles.

“ Why were KNA-B allowed to intrude and attack Naga villages while Assam Rifles bombed Naga volunteers who were defending their ancestral land”, UNC stated.

The council stated that such cross-border aggression by foreign-based armed groups under the covert support of a state actor with the intent to grab Naga ancestral land and terrorize innocent villagers cannot be tolerated and a matter of great concern.

UNC stated that it has observes with serious concern that both the incidents expose the complete security lapses of the state government in the said border areas and a total lack of adequate state forces on the ground.

Seeking immediate intervention by the Government of India to secure the lives and properties and ensure the safety of its citizens, UNC claimed that the remote border villages have been left to fend for themselves, making them vulnerable to attacks by foreign-based militant groups on one hand and high-handedness and diabolical policy of central forces on the other.

The absence of sufficient state police and the failure to deploy adequate state forces in Skipe, Awontang, and the entire Kamjong border belt have created a security vacuum, the release added.

The state government cannot abdicate its primary responsibility of protecting its own citizens. umC stated that it has seriously viewed and questions the abrupt transfer of the Superintendent of Police, Kamjong, Tholu Rocky, reportedly following 'the wild and unsubstantiated allegations leveled by Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing, wife of a Kuki militant commander, and her family, who are allegedly associated with various criminal activities'.

“Such an act of denigrating a sincere and devoted officer is highly condemnable and unfortunate. This amounts to discrimination and character assassination of a devoted police officer merely because he belongs to a particular community”, UNC stated.

The apex naga body in Manipur also urged the concerned authority to thoroughly verify the facts that led to such abrupt decision and rescind the transfer order until the officer is proven guilty through due process.

UNC demands immediate deployment of adequate state forces and strengthening of state police outposts in all vulnerable Naga villages along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The released stated that the UNC will not remain a silent spectator to the systematic targeting of Naga villages either by external militants or by state forces.

UNC appeals to all Naga people to remain vigilant and stands united, transcending all rifts and differences.