Breached TNL directive, says NSCN(IM)

Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR, Jan 18: The NSCN (IM) has accused Kuki militants of breaching the standing directive of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) that "prohibits outsiders to move around with arms and in military uniforms" in their areas.
According to NSCN (IM), the 'Naga Army' (its cadres) stationed at Tang-khul Hundung, Ukhrul, stopped one Gypsy coming from the Litan side for routine checking yesterday.
Initially the six occupants of the vehicle claimed themselves to be public.  How- ever, when the vehicle was checked, the occupants were found to be armed and one AK-47 rifle was found hidden inside the vehicle.
Of the six occupants, four were Kuki militants, the Naga outfit said and added that military equipment like 15 pieces of pouch were also found inside the vehicle.
The six men were identified as Seingam Luphao, Menlal, Goulen, Lhengou-mang, Louma and Mang- zou.
On further interrogation, the six men confessed that they were going to Molham Kuki village camp, the outfit continued and maintained that the Kuki militants and their associates breached the directive of TNL that prohibits outsiders to move around with arms and in military uniforms.
The six members, having agreed to abide by the directive of TNL in future, were released in good faith.
NSCN (IM), meanwhile, said that the misleading statement issued by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) regarding the incident was regrettable and not based on ground reality.
CoTU's statement was simply one sided and provocative, the outfit added.