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Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Oct 21 : The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has accused Kuki militants of burning down their own villages to portray themselves as victims and create a pretext for launching further attacks on Naga villages.
According to a statement issued by the TNL Working Committee, suspected Kuki militants set ablaze Patleijang near Litan police station in Ukhrul district, and Khoikai village under Chassad police station in Kamjong district in the early hours of October 20 and 21 respectively.
Citing information from neighbouring Tangkhul Naga villages located near the two Kuki settlements, TNL stated that plumes of smoke were seen rising from Patleijang and the abandoned Khoikai village during the early hours of Tuesday and Wednesday.
It recalled that Tangkhul Naga civil society organisations had facilitated the safe passage of around 40 inhabitants of Khoikai village on April 6, 2026.
The TNL said that the incidents at Patleijang and Khoikai appeared to be another attempt by the Kukis to shift blame and create a pretext for further attacks against the Tangkhul Nagas.
It cited the burning of Lanchah and Phaimol villages in April and July 2026, respectively "by Kuki themselves", as similar incidents.
According to TNL, Lanchah was set ablaze in April, although reports of the incident emerged only on May 2, while Phaimol was burned down on July 1.
The Organisation further alleged that the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) and Village Volunteers of Eastern Zone (VVEZ) launched an aggressive attack on Z Choro, Wanglee and Namlee, Tangkhul Naga villages along the Indo-Myanmar border, on May 7, 2026, following the "intentional" burning of Lanchah.
Similarly, it claimed that Tangkhul Naga settlements, including Huimin Thana and Khrongram, a hamlet of Nampisha village, came under heavy attack by Kuki militants following the incident at Phaimol.
The TNL accused the Kukis of engaging in a pattern of false allegations since the outbreak of violent conflict in the hills of Manipur on February 7, 2026.
Condemning the "uncivilised act", the TNL urged the Tangkhul Naga community to remain vigilant.
It warned that further attacks could occur in vulnerable Naga areas following the arson at the two Kuki settlements.