By Sasang Haokip, Kuki human rights activist
Dated: April 24, 2026
The ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM was meant to pave the way for political dialogue and peace. Instead, it is being used as a shield for continued violence against Kuki civilians in Manipur. On March 11, 2026, NSCN-IM cadres abducted three Kuki civilians from Thowai Kuki village in Ukhrul District. Two of them, Thenkhogin Baite, 45, and Thangboinmang Lunkim, 36, were brutally killed, while the third victim sustained serious gunshot injuries. The unprovoked assault on unarmed villagers is a direct breach of ceasefire ground rules that prohibit movement of armed cadres outside designated camps.
The Thowai Kuki killings are part of a wider pattern of NSCN-IM targeting the Kuki community. Unauthorised movement of armed cadres, illegal taxation points, and intimidation of civilians have become routine in areas adjoining Ukhrul. For the families of Thenkhogin Baite and Thangboinmang Lunkim, the ceasefire agreement has brought no protection. For the Kuki community at large, March 11 reaffirmed that NSCN-IM continues to operate with impunity while in dialogue with New Delhi. The ceasefire, far from ensuring peace, is enabling armed aggression against other indigenous groups.
On April 18, 2026, two Tangkhul Kacha-Naga civilians were killed in an ambush carried out by an NSCN-IM faction group identified as NSCN-Eastern Flank. The killings were the result of internal factional clashes within the NSCN-IM itself. Yet NSCN-IM functionaries immediately blamed Kuki groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) for the incident. Local testimonies and ground reports contradict this claim, confirming that the ambush stemmed from NSCN-IM infighting. The false accusation was a deliberate attempt to deflect responsibility and malign Kuki organisations.
This reflects NSCN-IM’s dual strategy: direct violence against Kukis, followed by disinformation to evade accountability. The abduction and murder of Thenkhogin Baite and Thangboinmang Lunkim on March 11 shows the outfit’s willingness to kill Kuki civilians. The false blame on Kuki SoO groups for the April 18 ambush shows its reliance on propaganda. Together, bullets and lies are used to target the Kuki community while shielding NSCN-IM cadres from the consequences of their own actions.
The pattern raises a larger question: Why do certain sections within the Tangkhul Kacha-Naga Christian community continue to spread fake news, lies and propaganda against Kukis, just as sections of the non-Christian Meitei have done? After every incident of violence, a narrative is pushed to demonise the Kuki community and justify aggression. This coordination of violence and disinformation, whether from NSCN-IM or its community sympathisers, undermines peace and blocks justice for victims. Truth cannot be sacrificed to protect those who violate ceasefire agreements.
The Government of India cannot remain a silent spectator. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah must enforce the ceasefire ground rules without further delay. NSCN-IM cadres must be confined to designated camps, all unauthorised outposts dismantled, and impartial inquiries ordered into the killing of Thenkhogin Baite, Thangboinmang Lunkim, and other civilians. The ceasefire cannot be a license to kill. Unless NSCN-IM is held accountable for its violations, peace in Manipur will remain out of reach. Justice for Thowai Kuki must be the first step.
