Student body rejects Leilon chief’s role in Naga abductions, alleges 14 Kuki civilians held by SDSA, demands legal action
Edited by: Lulun Haokip, Kukiland Express Desk
Kanggui, May 28, 2026
The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills on Tuesday issued a sharp rebuttal to the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), accusing it of making “reckless and politically motivated allegations” to vilify the Kuki community amid rising tensions in Manipur’s hill districts.
In a press statement, KSO Sadar Hills rejected ANSAM’s attempt to implicate Leilon Vaiphei Village Chief Lalboi Vaiphei in the alleged abduction of six Naga individuals, calling the claims “baseless, irresponsible and deliberately misleading.”
While stating that abductions warrant lawful probe, KSO said ANSAM’s “premature blame game” without evidence was a calculated move to push a communal narrative against the Kuki people.
Escalating the charge, KSO Sadar Hills cited the March 2026 Ukhrul incident, alleging that Tangkhul militants linked to the NSCN-IM Eastern Flank earlier held five Kuki civilians captive. It said Kuki villagers detained 21 Naga individuals in response but released them safely after a settlement to restore peace.
Despite the agreement, KSO claimed two Kuki hostages were killed by militants, while three others escaped.
The organisation further alleged the recent ambush on three Kuki church leaders was carried out by “Naga militants, specifically the NSCN-IM and its proxy, the Kamson Faction,” with aid from individuals linked to valley-based insurgent groups.
KSO Sadar Hills also condemned the “unlawful captivity” of 14 Kuki civilians, including three students, allegedly by the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA). It demanded that SDSA executives “be held accountable and prosecuted under Indian law.”
Drawing a parallel to ANSAM’s allegations, KSO argued that by the same logic, the Chairman and executives of the Senapati Town Committee should be held responsible for the alleged abduction of 25 Kuki civilians in their jurisdiction.
“The law must apply equally to all. Selective targeting of Kuki leaders while ignoring crimes against our people exposes clear bias,” the statement read.
KSO Sadar Hills urged authorities to ensure impartial investigations, secure the release of all civilian detainees, and prevent further escalation in the hill districts.
Edited By: Kimbawinu Vaiphei
Kukiland Express Desk
