New Delhi!: The Kuki Students’ Organisation, Delhi & NCR (KSO Delhi & NCR) on Wednesday, 17 September 2026, held a peaceful public gathering at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, to draw national attention to the killing of 26 unarmed Kuki civilians in Manipur between 11 March and 15 September 2026 allegedly by the NSCN (IM) and ZUF (K) armed groups. The organisation, which is registered under Regd. No. 2991 of 1979 with the motto Learn, Unite, Serve, in its press statement Ref: KSOD/26/PS/05, said the protest was organized to call for immediate government intervention, accountability, and protection of civilian life in the strife-torn state.
According to the press release issued by the Department of Information, Publicity and Media of KSO Delhi & NCR, the organisation has also submitted a detailed memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). The memorandum raises serious concerns over the reported targeted killings of Kuki civilians and attributes the incidents to cadres of NSCN(IM) and ZUF-K. The organisation has called for an independent, high-level investigation into all the reported incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable under the law. The memorandum records that the victims include women, elderly persons, and unborn children, and reports attacks on homes and agricultural structures.
The reported incidents, as per the statement, have affected Kuki civilians in several peripheral areas of Manipur, including Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong, Noney, Kangpokpi, and Senapati districts. The organisation stated that between 11 March 2026 and 15 September 2026, 26 civilians belonging to the Kuki community have been killed in 12 separate incidents identified in the memorandum. The organisation said these killings have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the already displaced and vulnerable tribal population. It further noted that despite repeated appeals, there has been no effective action to prevent further violence or to bring the perpetrators to justice, leading to erosion of faith in the law enforcement agencies.
Expressing grave concern over the security operations in Manipur, KSO Delhi & NCR said there has been unequal and discriminatory handling of the situation. For instance, Kuki villages have been subjected to combing operations, dismantling of defensive bunkers, and seizure of licensed firearms, while other hostile armed groups continue to operate in other areas without similar action. The organisation has therefore called for impartial security operations across all communities and for the protection of vulnerable civilian populations without discrimination. It argued that selective disarming of vulnerable civilians while allowing armed groups to operate with impunity has left Kuki villagers defenseless against attacks.
The organisation also raised serious concerns regarding the continued presence of NSCN(IM)-associated camps and armed formations in Manipur. The memorandum submitted to the central authorities identifies nine camps belonging to NSCN (IM) and calls for the dismantling of these unauthorised camps in accordance with applicable law and security protocols. KSO Delhi & NCR said the existence of such camps in Manipur, beyond the designated ceasefire areas of Nagaland, is a violation of ground rules and poses a direct threat to civilian safety. It demanded that the Government of India immediately identify and dismantle these camps to restore confidence among the local population.
In a strong demand, KSO Delhi & NCR is further demanding the immediate abrogation of the NSCN(IM) ceasefire agreement, as the existing arrangement has failed to prevent violence against civilians. The organisation said the ceasefire, which was originally intended to facilitate peace negotiations, is being misused to carry out violent activities in Manipur. It said that the Government must review the ceasefire agreement and take decisive action, as the continued operation of NSCN(IM) cadres in Manipur has resulted in loss of innocent lives. This demand has been a long-standing call of Kuki civil society organizations since the outbreak of violence in Manipur.
Listing its seven-point charter of demands, KSO Delhi & NCR called upon the Government of India and the concerned authorities to take urgent action. First, to initiate an independent, high-level investigation into all 12 incidents identified in the memorandum, through the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or an independent Special Investigation Team under judicial oversight. Second, to ensure impartial security operations across all communities and prevent the selective disarming of vulnerable civilians. Third, to identify and dismantle unauthorised armed camps of NSCN (IM) operating in Manipur. Fourth, to ensure protection, compensation, and humanitarian assistance for the families of the 26 reported victims, including medical and psychological assistance and protection for witnesses and survivors.
Continuing the demands, fifth, to strengthen protection for displaced and vulnerable tribal communities affected by the continuing violence. Sixth, to establish permanent Central Armed Police Force outposts in vulnerable Kuki villages to strengthen civilian protection and prevent further attacks. And seventh, to review and immediately abrogate the NSCN(IM) ceasefire, as demanded by the organisation. The statement said these measures are essential to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims’ families.
In its final appeal to the Government of India, KSO Delhi & NCR called upon the Government to take effective measures to protect civilian life, uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability for reported human rights violations, and provide equal protection to all communities. The organisation has submitted its memorandum to the concerned authorities and urges them to take cognisance of the issues and demands raised therein. The statement concluded with contact details of the organisation for emergency communication. Civil society observers in Delhi said the Jantar Mantar protest marks the first major demonstration in the national capital by Kuki students highlighting the alleged role of Naga armed groups in the ongoing Manipur crisis.
