By Kukiland Express Staff Reporter
Songpi: April 20, 2026
The Kuki Inpi Manipur on Sunday strongly condemned the killing of two civilians in an ambush near TM Kasom in Ukhrul district, calling the attack “deeply disturbing” and “unwarranted” while demanding a time-bound, impartial investigation by the National Investigation Agency. In a detailed statement, the apex Kuki body expressed profound grief over the loss of lives, extended condolences to the bereaved families, and described the incident as a heinous act of violence against unarmed civilians that risks further destabilising an already fragile inter-community situation in the hill areas. The organisation stressed that accountability must be fixed without delay and that those responsible, irrespective of community affiliation, should face the full weight of the law to prevent the cycle of violence from deepening.
Recalling a series of earlier incidents that it said had tested the community’s patience, the Kuki Inpi Manipur noted that Kukis in villages such as Sinakeithel and Litan had faced targeted attacks following the Litan incident, yet the community deliberately refrained from retaliatory action to avoid escalation. The statement specifically cited the killing of two individuals at Thowai as another grave provocation, but reiterated that the Kuki community chose restraint over reprisal in the larger interest of peace between the Kuki and Tangkhul communities. According to the body, this consistent appeal for calm has been made despite what it termed repeated attempts to create discord and provoke a broader confrontation in the region.
The organisation also took strong exception to recent statements issued by the United Naga Council and the Tangkhul Naga Long, which it said had attributed responsibility for the TM Kasom ambush to the Kuki community without placing any evidence in the public domain. Terming such assertions unjust and socially divisive, the Kuki Inpi Manipur said premature and unsubstantiated allegations only inflame tensions and undermine efforts by civil society and security agencies to restore trust. It urged all community-based organisations to exercise responsibility in public pronouncements and to allow investigating agencies to establish facts before apportioning blame, warning that speculative claims could endanger fragile local peace initiatives.
On the ground security environment, the Kuki Inpi Manipur claimed that multiple armed groups remain active in and around Sinakeithel and Litan, including valley-based insurgent outfits and elements it identified as Arambai Tenggol, whose presence it said has contributed to heightened tensions in the Ukhrul-Kamjong belt. The body argued that the complex security mosaic necessitates an investigation with the technical capacity and jurisdictional mandate to examine the role of all armed actors operating in the area, which is why it is specifically seeking an NIA probe rather than a routine district-level inquiry. Only a central agency-led, time-bound investigation, it said, can credibly uncover the planning, linkages, and support structures behind the ambush.
Reaffirming its stance against violence, the Kuki Inpi Manipur stated categorically that it would not shield or support any individual involved in attacks on civilians, regardless of community identity, and reiterated its commitment to peace, accountability, and justice in Manipur. It appealed to the state and central governments to ensure immediate protection for vulnerable villages, to prevent the spread of rumours, and to create conditions for impartial fact-finding. The organisation concluded that justice for the victims of the TM Kasom ambush is non-negotiable, and that lasting peace in the hills will depend on transparent investigations, rejection of collective blame, and sustained dialogue between communities.
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