CoTU has demanded a review of the operational boundaries and terms governing militant groups under ceasefire and Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements, arguing that such arrangements should not be misused to target security forces.
BY PC Bureau
July 7: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, on Tuesday strongly condemned the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush at Hungpung village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district and urged the Central and state governments to launch a decisive crackdown on armed insurgent groups operating in the hill districts.
In a statement issued a day after the attack, the organisation described the incident as a serious threat to both national security and civilian safety, alleging that armed secessionist militants continue to operate with impunity in parts of the state despite ongoing peace arrangements with the Government of India.
The attack took place around 1.30 pm on Monday at Nungshang in Hungpung village when a convoy of the 40 Assam Rifles came under heavy fire from unidentified armed assailants. The ambush claimed the lives of Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh, while security forces immediately launched search operations across the area to trace those responsible.
Expressing condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, CoTU said the attack was “not the first of its kind” against Indian security forces in the region and warned that repeated assaults on military personnel reflected the growing operational capabilities of insurgent groups in Manipur’s hill districts.
The organisation criticised what it described as the contradiction of armed groups attacking Indian security forces while simultaneously benefiting from ceasefire or Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangements with the Government of India. It argued that such incidents undermine ongoing peace initiatives and called for a review of the terms governing these agreements.
CoTU further urged the Centre to reassess the operational boundaries and movement of insurgent organisations that are currently under various peace accords or ceasefire arrangements. It alleged that certain militant groups continue to move freely and carry out armed activities despite being part of negotiated agreements with the government.
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Naming the NSCN faction led by Thuingaleng Muivah and the Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson faction), the organisation claimed these groups have been operating without effective deterrence from either security agencies or the state administration. It also alleged that proxy militant outfits were contributing to instability across the hill districts.
The Committee appealed to both the Union and Manipur governments to intensify operations against what it termed “secessionist armed militants” in order to prevent further attacks on security personnel and ensure the safety of civilians living in the region.
The latest attack comes amid continuing security challenges in Manipur, where multiple insurgent organisations remain active despite ongoing peace negotiations with the Centre. Security agencies have stepped up surveillance and area domination operations in several hill districts following the ambush, while investigations are underway to identify those responsible.
