Imphal, July 23 -- The Joint Tribes Council of Manipur (JTCM) and the Western Command of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) have strongly condemned the armed attack and arson targeting Naga volunteers in Betiang village of Noney district.

The incident, which took place on July 22, has been described by the groups as a serious attack on indigenous communities amid an already tense situation.

Representing the Zeme, Rongmei, Inpui and Liangmai tribes, the JTCM termed the assault a cowardly act and said it posed a threat to the peace, security and territorial integrity of their ancestral lands.

Following the incident, the Western Command of the NVG issued Martial Directives, announcing a stance of "total resistance". The command stated that ther...