March 27, 2026 (IMP): The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has said that, keeping strong public interest over its own, the outfit was compelled to take defensive measures for peace against NSCN-IM’s consistent offensive operations since its inception, with ulterior motives.
According to a statement issued by ZUF’s Secretary, Information and Publicity, Louis Gangmei, “It is necessary to make clear the stance of ZUF on the unrelenting confrontation with the NSCN-IM that has erupted recurrently. It is evident that the NSCN-IM has been constantly conducting offensive operations against ZUF since its inception with ulterior motives.”
However, the counterpart has taken advantage of the leniency of ZUF, thereby attempting to overrule it by misleading and dominating the public with loud voice messages. The statement added that it has been a habitual practice of NSCN-IM to influence the public for a long time. Consequently, ZUF recently undertook a counter-offensive operation as a responsive measure against NSCN-IM wherever they take shelter, be it in villages, public places, or jungles. ZUF was compelled to apply only defensive operational measures for peace while prioritising public interest over its own, the statement said.
The statement further added that the public or villagers hosting NSCN-IM, either by compulsion or under pressure, in their villages or areas must object and stop such activities, either through public rallies or by submitting written memoranda to the concerned State or Central Government. It also stated that the public must not equate ZUF with the rebel group or pretend to remain neutral between both groups. According to ZUF, the present situation was initially created and practiced by NSCN-IM, and ZUF has responded inevitably.
It further stated that ZUF, being the frontline defender of the Zeliangrong homeland, has every right to operate in the region against all infiltrators. It emphasised that it is the responsibility of every Zeliangrong village and citizen to extend full cooperation to ZUF in defending their villages and homeland. The statement also urged villages and citizens to speak out against the rebel group, whose activities have been the primary cause of violence and disturbance in society.
The statement added that the recent incident at Kaiphundai Village was an inevitable and duty-bound response to uphold social responsibility against external forces. It alleged that NSCN-IM has been carrying out operations to exploit local resources and economic sources under so-called “higher orders.” It further claimed that Zeliangrong Naga workers and leaders are being compelled to follow directives that harm local communities under the pretext of the Naga national cause.
ZUF stated that, regardless of the reasons or justifications given, it will continue its efforts until all exploitative operations against the people are eliminated from the land.
The statement also dismissed views circulated on social media portraying ZUF as indifferent to threats from Kuki militant groups, calling them a deliberate attempt by NSCN-IM to spread misinformation. It alleged that certain groups are working in coordination with NSCN-IM to provoke tensions and create communal conflict in the state. According to ZUF, such actions reflect a deliberate attempt to create confusion and unrest.
Finally, ZUF appealed to the public to avoid and resist all misleading or destructive propaganda on social media that may appear harmless initially but could ultimately harm unity, peace, and collective progress of society.
