Kanggui: Tension gripped the IT Road corridor in Kangpokpi district after armed cadres of the NSCN-IM allegedly attacked Kuki farmers at Wakotphai village near Naibet on Thursday morning.
According to local sources, the incident occurred at around 9:20 AM when the farmers were resting inside their temporary field huts in the paddy fields. Several farmers had stayed overnight in the fields to guard their crops during the harvest season.
Sources said cadres armed with sophisticated weapons, allegedly belonging to the Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM, opened heavy gunfire targeting the unarmed farmers. The sudden attack was described by locals as a direct assault on the livelihood and safety of villagers.
The firing triggered panic in the area. Kuki village volunteers stationed nearby immediately responded and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of fire to cover the retreat of the farmers and secure the area.
As of filing this report, there is no official confirmation regarding casualties or damage to property. Further details are awaited as situation reports continue to emerge from the field. Security forces have been alerted and are monitoring the situation.
The IT Road area had remained relatively peaceful despite the ongoing conflict in the state since May 2023. Locals fear the fresh attack could disturb the fragile peace and normalcy that communities in the area have been working to maintain.
In a press statement issued today, the Kuki Village Volunteers (KVV), Twilang Lhang, has strongly condemned the attack on unarmed farmers from Wakotphai village. The group stated that a combined group of Tangkhul-Liangmei Naga militants reportedly under NSCN-IM attacked farmers who were staying overnight in their paddy-field hut.
The KVV Twilang Lhang, in its press release, has placed five demands before the concerned authorities, including immediate identification and arrest of those responsible, a transparent and impartial investigation, a clear public statement on the incident, ensuring safety of farmers and civilians along IT Road, and taking immediate steps to prevent further escalation.
The volunteers further warned that continued inaction or failure to hold the perpetrators accountable may deteriorate the law-and-order situation and said that peace cannot be sustained when attacks on innocent civilians go unanswered, urging the government to act swiftly and impartially to prevent the incident from developing into a larger confrontation.
