DIMAPUR: Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO) and Lotha Lower Range Students’ Union (LLRSU) have strongly condemned the physical assault, manhandling and harassment of its office bearer along with Wochothung Yanthan, chairman, Longayim Village Council, and Ezanthung Tsopoe, chairman, Lio Longchum Village Council, by miscreants while they were travelling peacefully and lawfully.
A joint FIR has been filed by the chairmen of Longayim, Lio Longchum and Mekirang villages regarding the incident. LLRPO appealed to authorities to ensure justice, stressing that civilians and miscreants must not be allowed to take law and order into their own hands. It urged both state administrations to work together to create a safe environment for progressive farmers to carry out their livelihood without harassment.
LLRPO noted that the incident was particularly disturbing given the recent tripartite agreement signed between the Governments of Assam, Nagaland and India concerning the Disputed Area Belt (DAB). It stated that citizens should be looking forward to peace, harmony and development, not reverting to hostility and disorder.
The organisation called upon law enforcement agencies to immediately identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible, warning that impunity would embolden further violence. It also appealed to society not to be misled by propaganda exploiting local sentiments, stressing that disputes over land, boundaries or administration must be resolved through dialogue, documentation, due process and government to government diplomacy.
LLRPO further urged the Government of Nagaland to prioritise the foothill road to provide safe passage for farmers to trade peacefully. While reaffirming its commitment to peace and harmonious relations, the organisation cautioned that peace must not be mistaken for weakness, and vowed not to remain silent if the safety and dignity of its members and people were repeatedly threatened.
It warned that failure to bring the perpetrators to justice would compel LLRPO to consult and mobilise Lotha frontal organisations and other Naga tribal bodies to collectively demand accountability and protection.
Reiterating its strong condemnation, LLRPO urged competent authorities to act swiftly and decisively so that the incident does not escalate into wider confrontation, and called for building an environment of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, development and prosperity.
Meanwhile, LLRSU also condemned the alleged physical assault, manhandling and harassment of LLRPO joint secretary, Zathungo Yanthan, along with the chairman of Longayim Village Council and a member of Longchum Village Council, during a confrontation at Negheribil along the Assam-Nagaland border.
In a condemnation note, LLPSU president, L. Thunga Kithan denounced acts of violence, intimidation and harassment, stressing that disputes concerning land, boundaries or administrative matters must be resolved through lawful means, dialogue and due process.
Expressing solidarity with the Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation (LLRPO), the LLRSU called for justice, accountability and protection of the rights and safety of the people of the Lotha Lower Range.
The Union appealed to competent authorities and law enforcement agencies to conduct a fair and impartial investigation, identify those responsible and take appropriate legal action. It also urged authorities to ensure safety, free movement of people and prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Reaffirming its support for the LLRPO, the LLRSU urged authorities to uphold the rule of law, justice and peace.
Monday, August 31, 2026