Kukiland: A pall of grief and anxiety hangs over the Kuki community as Miss Neng Esther Gangte, the lone survivor of a recent deadly attack that killed Mrs. Julie Gangte and Mr. ThangRoel Gangte, continues to battle for her life with critical bullet injuries. The young Kuki woman, who narrowly escaped death in the incident attributed to armed cadres of NSCN-IM, is undergoing intensive medical treatment, with doctors describing her condition as critical but stable.
According to community sources and family members, the attack took place in recent days in the sensitive fringe areas of Kangpokpi district, where civilian movement has become increasingly risky due to the presence of armed groups. Miss Neng Esther Gangte was traveling with the two deceased victims when their group came under heavy firing. While Mrs. Julie Gangte and Mr. ThangRoel Gangte succumbed to their injuries on the spot, Neng Esther sustained multiple gunshot wounds but managed to survive. She was immediately evacuated to a hospital where she is currently receiving emergency care.
The deaths of Mrs. Julie Gangte and Mr. ThangRoel Gangte have triggered widespread mourning in their native villages. Family members described them as innocent civilians with no connection to any armed conflict, whose only fault was being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Local community organizations have condemned the killing in the strongest terms, calling it a direct attack on unarmed Kuki civilians and a grave violation of human rights and humanitarian norms.
The incident has once again brought into sharp focus the role of the NSCN-IM in the ongoing violence in Manipur’s hill areas. Community leaders and civil society groups, including the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC) have consistently accused the group of targeting Kuki villages and civilians under the guise of its political movement. The latest attack, they say, exposes a pattern of brutality against civilians that cannot be justified. Questions are being raised by church leaders and elders over how such acts of violence can be carried out by a group that claims to fight for a cause under the banner of Christianity.
In a joint statement of condolence, village authorities and Kuki civil bodies have demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the massacre. They have urged the central government and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable and that adequate protection is provided to vulnerable Kuki villages along the disputed boundaries. The bodies have also called for the immediate withdrawal of NSCN-IM cadres from areas close to Kuki settlements to prevent further bloodshed.
Meanwhile, the focus remains on the recovery of Miss Neng Esther. Medical sources attending to her said she has suffered severe trauma and blood loss due to bullet injuries and will require prolonged treatment and surgeries. Her family, who have been keeping vigil at the hospital, said they are clinging to hope and faith. The family has appealed to all communities, churches, and well-wishers to remember NengEsther in their prayers during this critical hour.
In a heartfelt appeal shared on social media, family members and community leaders wrote, “We humbly request everyone to remember Neng Esther in your prayers. Pray for God’s healing hand upon her, strength for her body, wisdom for the doctors treating her, and comfort and courage for her family. May the Lord preserve her life and bring her through this critical hour.” The appeal has since been widely shared, with hundreds of people posting messages of solidarity and prayer.
The attack comes at a time when Manipur is still struggling to return to normalcy after more than two years of ethnic unrest. While efforts are being made for peace talks and rehabilitation, incidents like the Kangpokpi ambush threaten to derail fragile peace and deepen mistrust among communities. Human rights activists have warned that targeting civilians will only prolong the cycle of violence and suffering.
As the community buries its dead and prays for the living, the demand for justice is growing louder. For now, all eyes are on the hospital bed where NengEsther lies fighting for her life, a lone survivor and a painful reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict. Community leaders have said they will not rest until justice is delivered for Julie Gangte, ThangRoel Gangte, and for NengEsther who is still battling for survival.
