ZUF accuses NSCN-K (Niki) of June pact with NSCN-IM

KOHIMA – The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has stood by its charge that the NSCN-K (Niki) and the NSCN (IM) are jointly operating against it, alleging in a counter statement on Sunday that the two groups formed an alliance through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on 30 June 2026.

The ZUF counter statement, signed by its Secretary of Information and Publicity, Louis Gangmei, and dated 8 November 2026 (Ref. No. ZUF/F-88/26), answers a press statement issued on 5 November by the NSCN/GPRN-K (Niki). In that statement, the group rejected the ZUF’s “joint operation” allegation as baseless and warned it would “retaliate tooth and nail”. Imphal Times also reported the ZUF counter statement.

The claims in the ZUF statement have not been independently verified by Nagaland.News.

Alleged MoU of 30 June

According to the ZUF, the MoU was signed between the Zeliangrong Region units of the NSCN/GPRN (IM) and the NSCN/GPRN-K (Niki). “Since then, both the groups have been jointly operating its mission against ZUF,” the statement said, adding that the evidence was “clear beyond doubt or question”.

The ZUF did not release a copy of the alleged MoU.

Three incidents cited

To support its claim, the ZUF listed three incidents:

• 6 October 2026: Tadulung Kamei, described by the ZUF as a cadre of the NSCN/GPRN-K (Niki), was injured while with NSCN (IM) cadres when they “confronted” what the ZUF called its “defensive mission”.
• 28 October 2026: Lt Ringteneing Riame of the NSCN (IM) was killed, the ZUF said.
• 4 November 2026: Lt Aihung Khumba of what the ZUF called the “Kamson Gang” was killed, it said.

The statement did not say where the incidents took place. The 4 November date matches the deadly gunfight at Taodaijang (Buanruang) in Manipur’s Noney district. Officials quoted by PTI had named one of the dead in that clash as Aihung Khumba of Pungmon Chingchen village, and said his affiliation was not immediately known (Outlook).

The ZUF did not explain the term “Kamson Gang”. A ZUF faction led by Kamson broke away from the outfit in 2019.

Nagaland.News could not find independent reports of the 6 October and 28 October incidents. Police have not publicly confirmed the affiliations of those killed or injured.

‘Region acted on its own’

The ZUF suggested that the alliance may have been the work of the NSCN-K (Niki)’s Zeliangrong Region alone. It said the region may have acted “with their own volition for their safety advantage or interest” and used the name of the whole NSCN-K to ally with the NSCN (IM) without the wider group being consulted.

That, the ZUF said, “confuses the whole group”, but should not be an excuse to deny the facts.

ZUF answers retaliation warning

The ZUF called the NSCN-K (Niki)’s warning of retaliation “a mockery” that reflected “the immaturity of the group or their ill intention”.

It said the Front “shall respond with measure equivalent reaction” to any threat, and that it stands “in defense of Zeliangrong land and people without alienation to the common Naga cause”.

The statement also referred to “the terrorist NSCN-IM” and accused the group of seeking “power, wealth, and recognition by dragging the Nagas to subscribe or submit to their rule of revolutionary terrorism”. These are the ZUF’s own descriptions. The NSCN (IM) has been in a ceasefire with the Centre since 1997 and is in political talks with the Government of India.

The ZUF appealed to the Naga public “not to be driven by the wave of manipulative words or defective diplomacy” spread through media outlets, and to remain true to the Nagas’ “historical and political aspiration”.

No response yet from NSCN-K (Niki), NSCN (IM)

Neither the NSCN-K (Niki) nor the NSCN (IM) had publicly responded to the ZUF counter statement at the time of publishing. Nagaland.News could not find any statement from either group on the alleged 30 June MoU.

In its 5 November statement, the NSCN/GPRN-K (Niki) had called the joint-operation charge “imaginary, baseless and unfounded”, The Morung Express reported.

Nagaland.News will update this story if the groups respond.

Background

The ZUF was formed in 2011 to press for the interests of the Zeliangrong Naga community, according to an IBNS backgrounder. A faction led by Kamson broke away in 2019 and signed a ceasefire with the Centre, while the group led by Jenchui Kamei, often called ZUF (Jenchui), continued its armed campaign.

The NSCN-K (Niki) split from the NSCN (K) in 2021. Its ceasefire with the Centre was last extended on 7 September 2026 for one year.

The ZUF and the NSCN (IM) have clashed repeatedly in the Zeliangrong areas of Manipur this year. In March 2026, the two sides exchanged fire at New Kaiphundai village in Tamenglong district, Ukhrul Times reported. Days later, the ZUF said it had largely been on the defensive and called its action at Kaiphundai a “necessary response”, according to Imphal Times.

For a guide to the many Naga armed groups, see our explainer: How many Naga army factions are there in Nagaland?