Konyak Union Condemns Joint Operation in Mon; Warns of Trust Deficit

The Konyak Union (KU) has strongly condemned the joint operation carried out by 20 Assam Rifles in collaboration with 166 Territorial Army at Namthai village under Mon district on the midnight of April 22, 2026.
In a press release, KU president K.Yamao Konyak and general secretary Wango Konyak stated that Shaopa Konyak, chairman of Namthai Village Council, was an innocent and responsible public leader committed to the welfare and peaceful coexistence of the village.
It termed the arrest as unwarranted, stating the any attempt to implicate/target such a respected leader reflected a grave lapse and failure on the part of intelligence agencies.
KU maintained that the arrest of an innocent public leader pointed to complete intelligence failure and lack of proper verification.
It also questioned the role and accountability of state law enforcement agencies, including Nagaland police and 42 Assam Rifles units stationed in Naginimora and Mon, over the alleged lack of prior knowledge of the operation conducted within their jurisdiction.
The union expressed concern that such actions, if carried out under AFSPA without adherence to basic legal procedures and coordination, raised serious questions on the functioning and effectiveness of the agencies concerned.
Further, KU highlighted a growing trust deficit among civilians towards security forces, particularly in the Naginimora-Namthai-Tiru-Tizit belt, stating that such incidents continued to create fear, confusion and insecurity.
The union warned that such operations could trigger situations similar to the Oting incident, where 14 civilians lost their lives.
KU also refuted the press statement issued by security forces on April 25 claiming arrest of three ULFA (I) cadres in Mon district, asserting that there was no presence of such groups in the district. It stated that the individuals had reportedly entered the district with the intention of surrendering before Assam Police but had crossed into Mon due to navigational confusion.
KU cautioned authorities against making unverified claims that could tarnish the image of the district and its people, and reiterated its demand for accountability, transparency and responsible conduct from all security agencies operating in the region.