JAN 13, 2026 (IMP): Villagers of Ireng Naga village, mostly inhabited by a lean population of the Liangmai Naga tribe in Kangpokpi, are shivering in fear and grief after they reportedly sighted over 30 heavily armed men in combat fatigue advancing towards their village on the afternoon of January 12, subsequent to the village chief being threatened by an alleged KNF commander, who identified himself as Tiger Kipgen alias Thangboi Kipgen alias Haogenthang Kipgen, to raze down the entire village via calls at 11 am on January 12.
On the night of January 11, the villagers alleged that armed cadres of KNF/UPF under SoO, in combat fatigue and holding sophisticated weapons, illegally entered the Ireng (Puilong) Naga village and vandalized public property, including community waiting sheds, and desecrated the village monolith by writing provocative slogans such as “Kukiland” and “Stay Away”. The incident irked the villagers, which led to a protest the subsequent morning by blocking the road from 9 am on January 12.
Later, during the protest at 11 am on January 12, the intimidating call from the KNF commander identified as Tiger Kipgen came to the village chief of Ireng.
Now, the Liangmai Naga Council has raised serious and urgent concerns about how armed cadres under SoO can roam freely with sophisticated weapons by breaching the SoO guidelines and has questioned the safety of civilians, challenging the rule of law, constitutional order and national security.
