Detained for moving around with arms : TNAL on Jan 17 incident CoTU reminded of TNL's directive

Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Jan 20 : Taking strong exception to the strong words and condemnations issued by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) after six Kuki-Zo militants (dubbed village volunteers by CoTU) were detained and questioned by Tangkhul villagers in between Itham (Shingkap) and Tangkhul Hundung on January 17, the Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang (TNAL) today reminded CoTU of the directive issued by the Tangkhul Naga Long in view of the prevailing situation in Manipur.
In a statement issued to the media today, TNAL said that TNL, the apex body of the Tangkhul community had issued a directive to all not to move around with arms and battle fatigues in areas that come under their jurisdiction. The directive was issued to avert any unwanted incident in Tangkhul areas.
Despite this the six Kuki-Zo militants were caught moving  around armed to the teeth and in full battle fatigues. How does CoTU explain this, asked TNAL.
The photographic evidences of arms and ammunition carried by the Kuki-Zo militants on January 17 should more than say how the directive of the TNL was flouted with impunity, said TNAL and reminded CoTU that the directive of the TNL was issued to ensure peace and tranquillity in Tangkhul areas.
Incidentally just one day after the incident, the NSCN (IM) had stated, “On 17th January, 2025, Naga Army stationed at Tangkhul Hundung, Ukhrul, stopped one Gypsy that had come from Litan side, for routine checking. Initially the 6 occupants of the vehicle claimed themselves to be public. However, when the vehicle was thoroughly checked, those people were found to be armed with 1 AK-47 rifle, hidden in the vehicle. Four of them were Kuki militants. Along with the 1 AK, military equip-ments like 15 piece of pouch were also found. On further interrogation they confessed that they are going to Molham Kuki village camp.”
The NSCN (IM) also maintained that the six “admitted having breached the standing directive of the Tangkhul Naga Long that prohibits outsiders to move around with arms and military uniforms. The six members having agreed to abide by the agreement with the Tangkhul Naga Long in future were released in good faith.”
The NSCN (IM) had then named of the six as, Seingam Luphao, Menlal, Goulen, Lhengoumang, Louma and Mangzou.