Leimakhong: The Kuki Youth Organization (KYO), Leimakhong Block, has strongly condemned the reported abduction of an elderly civilian from Khunkho Kuki village in the Leimakhong area and demanded his immediate and safe return. The victim has been identified as Mr. Hemjang Haokip, 71, a resident of Khunkho Kuki village, who was allegedly captured while working in his field. The organization has termed the incident a grave attack on an innocent civilian and a serious threat to the safety of villagers in the entire Leimakhong belt.
According to the press release issued by KYO Leimakhong Block on October 3, 2026, vide Ref. No. KYO/LKB/PR/01/2026, Mr. Haokip was abducted at around 3:00 PM today from his agricultural field. His whereabouts remain unknown since the time of the incident, creating serious concern, panic and anguish not only among his immediate family members but also among the entire village and surrounding areas. The family is reportedly distressed as there has been no contact or information about the elderly man after he was taken away.
The organization further reported that shortly after the alleged abduction, the small temporary field hut belonging to the victim was burned down. The hut, which farmers commonly use for resting and storing agricultural tools during cultivation season, was completely gutted in the fire. KYO said this double attack — abduction of a person and destruction of his property — has intensified fear among the local farming community, many of whom depend on the fields for their daily livelihood and are now scared to go for cultivation.
While attributing the incident to armed personnel belonging to NSCN-IM, KYO Leimakhong Block stated that it regards this act as an unacceptable threat to peace and security in the Leimakhong area. The youth body maintained that targeting a 71-year-old unarmed farmer who was simply working in his own field cannot be justified under any circumstances and amounts to a direct assault on civilian dignity and human rights. It emphasized that the safety of innocent villagers must be the top priority for all groups operating in the region.
In its strong-worded statement, KYO Leimakhong Block has demanded the immediate and safe return of the abducted person without any harm or pre-condition. The organization called upon the concerned authorities and security agencies, including the district administration and police, to take urgent and decisive action in the matter. It urged the forces to intensify search operations, trace the whereabouts of Mr. Hemjang Haokip, and ensure that every person found responsible for the abduction and the burning of the field hut is brought to justice as per the law of the land.
Issuing a stern warning to NSCN-IM and every individual or group involved in the incident, KYO made it clear that the safety of innocent civilians must not be taken for granted. The organization stated that if any harm has come to the abducted elderly person, every person found responsible will have to face the full consequences of their action and the law. It warned that such acts of intimidation against the Kuki community will not be tolerated and that accountability must be fixed.
The Kuki Youth Organization, Leimakhong Block, also expressed its firm solidarity with the family and the people of Khunkho Kuki village during this difficult time. The organization said it stands firmly with the victim’s family and shares their pain and anxiety. Reiterating its demand, KYO said the abducted man must be brought home safe and sound without any delay, and that the lives, safety, and dignity of civilians must be respected by all. It called for restraint and for all armed groups to refrain from targeting innocent villagers.
The incident has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in the Leimakhong area, where villagers, especially elderly farmers, have been living under constant fear. Khunkho Kuki village, like many other villages in the periphery, depends heavily on agriculture, and such incidents directly impact the livelihood and psychological well-being of the community. Civil society organizations in the area have repeatedly appealed for the protection of non-combatants and for ensuring that civilian areas remain free from armed confrontation and intimidation.
Concluding its press statement, KYO Leimakhong Block asserted that the Kuki community will not remain silent and will take every possible democratic and lawful action against any injustice done to the Kuki people. The organization said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to escalate the matter to higher authorities and human rights forums if the abducted person is not released immediately. The statement was issued by KYO Leimakhong Block with the motto “fighting today for better tomorrow”.
