Imphal, July 31 -- The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly condemned the July 29 search and combing operations, demanding an end to what it termed military suppression and holding state and central authorities accountable for the death of a Naga Village Guard.

In a statement issued from its headquarters in Tahamzam on Thursday, the apex Naga body described the recent actions by central security forces in Naga hill areas as "unwarranted, vindictive and heavily militarised".

The council drew attention to an operation in the Noney Sub-Division on July 29, where an exchange of fire in the Bitiang (Laphok) village area resulted in the death of on-duty Naga Village Guard Lanbilung Riamei (also identified as Lanbimei Riamei) and left severa...