KIM says Pongringlon has no Kuki presence, slams channel for alleging “Kuki militant” link without proof; demands fair probe into all Manipur violence since 2023.
Edited by: Kimbawinu Vaiphei, Kukiland Express Desk
Songpi, June 8, 2026
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), apex body of the Kuki tribes, has issued a sharp rebuttal to Northeast Live over its coverage of the killing of Mr. Chunjanglung Panmei, calling the channel’s reporting “highly irresponsible and biased.” In a press statement released on June 8 (Ref: 04/KIM/PR/25-43), KIM condemned the news outlet for “hastily alleging the involvement of ‘Kuki militants'” in its news flash without presenting evidence, proof, or verification.
While extending “deep condolences to the grieving family” of Panmei, KIM stressed that “no family should ever have to bear such a loss.” The statement directly challenged the geographic basis of the allegation, asserting that the incident took place in Pongringlon — “an area with no Kuki settlement and absolutely no Kuki presence.” KIM argued that dragging “an entire community into the narrative with zero substantiation is not journalism” but instead “dangerous ethnic labelling and hate-mongering that only worsens divisions in Manipur.”
The apex Kuki body accused Northeast Live of making this a “repeated habit” of “name-calling and community shaming without facts.” It stated that such “reckless reporting is unacceptable and damages the credibility of the media as a whole.” The statement, signed by Secretary of Information & Publicity Janghaolun Haokip, frames the incident as part of a broader pattern of selective media narratives in the conflict-hit state.
KIM urged authorities to “immediately investigate this killing with fairness and transparency” while also demanding that “all crimes in Manipur since 2023 be thoroughly probed and justice delivered to every victim — irrespective of ethnicity or community.” The body warned that “selective justice and selective journalism will only deepen the wounds” in the state.
“Manipur needs truth and accountability, not propaganda,” the statement concluded. KIM also reminded editors that all authentic press releases are issued only through its verified handles on X @KukiInpi and @kimmnprls, and its official Facebook page.
