Songpi: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki Tribes, has issued a strong press statement demanding immediate justice, accountability, and an end to arbitrary actions in Kangpokpi District, following a series of incidents that have sparked anger across the Kuki community.
In a press statement No. 04/KIM/PR/25-62 issued on 20th September 2026 by its Secretary, Information & Publicity, Janghaolun Haokip, from the KIM Secretariat, Administrative Centre Lamka – 795128, the organization expressed profound outrage and unequivocal condemnation regarding the arbitrary arrest of seven villagers from Kholen Village, including a respected Church leader, by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Kangpokpi District. Kuki Inpi stated that this unwarranted detention comes at an excruciating moment for the community, following the merciless killing of six Kuki villagers, including two women, by the NSCN (IM), with another woman tragically succumbing to her injuries early today, September 20, at Tele-ICU, District Hospital Churachandpur.
According to KIM, the six victims were killed in the twin attacks on September 13, observed as Kuki Black Day, at L. Tollen and Longpi villages along the Tamenglong-Noney border. At L. Tollen, armed miscreants killed Lhingzangai Singsit on the spot and her husband Seineh Singsit died on the way to Silchar Medical College, while their six-year-old son sustained a gunshot injury. At Longpi, cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF-K ambushed three villagers returning with rice supplies, killing Mrs. Julie Gangte and Mr. Thangvel Roel Gangte on the spot, and critically injuring Miss Nei Esther Gangte, who fought for seven days before succumbing today morning. With her demise, the death toll in the twin attacks has risen to seven Kuki civilians killed in a single day, KIM noted.
Kuki Inpi said the total inaction against the perpetrators, combined with the ongoing threats faced by the victims’ families and villagers who have fled to nearby forests and Kangpokpi district for safety, represents a shocking, unconstitutional failure of law enforcement and a clear reflection of systemic injustice against the Kuki people. The apex body questioned why not a single cadre of NSCN-IM has been arrested despite repeated killings, while innocent Kuki villagers, including a Church leader who serves the community, are being picked up arbitrarily by security forces. KIM alleged that such selective enforcement under the protection of Ceasefire ground rules has emboldened armed groups to continue attacks with impunity while branding Kuki village defenders as criminals.
Adding to this grave injustice, KIM condemned the state apparatus’s unprovoked use of full force against civilians peacefully protesting for basic rights and security in Kangpokpi District. According to the statement, civilians had gathered to demand justice for the slain villagers and security for vulnerable Kuki villages in the wake of the Black Day killings, but the protest was met with live bullets. KIM said the deployment of live bullets against peaceful demonstrators is an egregious violation of fundamental constitutional freedoms and right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under the Constitution of India. The organization also highlighted the deliberate vandalisation of their vehicles, including that of reputed journalist Kaybie Chongloi, who was covering the protest.
KIM demanded immediate, resolute redressal from the concerned district authorities in Kangpokpi. The demands include immediate and unconditional release of the seven arbitrarily detained innocent civilians from Kholen Village, including the Church leader; a formal and independent investigation into the excessive force used against peaceful protesters, including the firing of live bullets; and adequate compensation for destroyed property, including vehicles damaged during the security action. KIM further demanded that the cases related to the killing of seven Kuki civilians on September 13 be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and that adequate Central Security Forces be deployed in vulnerable Kuki villages in Tamenglong, Noney and Kangpokpi districts.
The apex body said the Kuki people have endured persistent hardship, selective enforcement, and violence for decades, from 1990 till today. KIM recalled that over 1,100 Kuki civilians including women, children and pastors have been killed by NSCN-IM and allied groups, with 26 civilians killed in 2026 alone, yet justice remains elusive. The Council said the community continues to seek peace but peace cannot come at the cost of justice and dignity.
Issuing a firm and clear warning to the authorities, Kuki Inpi Manipur stated that if any further arbitrary actions or rights violations are committed against civilians, the Kuki people will not sit by silently while such blatant injustices continue to be carried out against them. The organization urged the Government of India and the state administration to uphold the rule of law without bias and ensure protection and justice for all communities equally.
