Kukiland: Kuki women across Manipur staged coordinated protests on Wednesday in Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Chandel districts as part of a statewide mass mobilisation called by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) General Headquarters in collaboration with Kuki Women Union Manipur. The protests were held under the slogan “Stop The Killing — Demand Truth, Justice & Accountability” and “No Justice, No Peace” to demand justice for the alleged killing of 27 Kuki civilians, including 8 women and two unborn children, since March 11, 2026, in incidents the organisation attributes to NSCN-IM and Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K).
In Kangpokpi district headquarters, hundreds of women from Kanggui, Saikul, Saitu, Island and adjoining villages took to the streets. They marched from the main bazaar to the Deputy Commissioner complex from 11:30 AM till 2 PM, carrying placards reading “Pregnant women are not targets,” “27 lives — we demand justice,” “The government must answer,” and “Accountability cannot wait.” Local leaders said Kangpokpi, which sits along the sensitive IT Road corridor, has witnessed repeated attacks on peripheral Kuki villages including Lasan, Songpibung, Loibol Khollen and N. Teikhang, where villagers were attacked while working in paddy fields and carrying out daily chores.
In Churachandpur, the main gathering was held at the Wall of Remembrance from 12 noon. Women from different blocks assembled in large numbers and held a peaceful sit-in. KWOHR spokesperson Rebecca Haokip addressed the gathering and said the protest was organised to seek justice for what she termed as barbaric killing of women, children, pregnant mothers and unarmed Kuki civilians. She said the killings have continued for months and that vulnerable sections have not been spared, creating fear and displacement in interior villages that depend on agriculture for survival.
Rebecca Haokip specifically cited the June 5, 2026 incident at Loibol Khollen in Kangpokpi district, where Mrs. Tinmary Haokip, a seven-month pregnant woman, was allegedly killed along with her husband Letkhongam Haokip and her brother-in-law Jangminlal Haokip. She said this incident had sparked widespread outrage among Kuki mothers across the state. “In today’s protest, we specifically asked the Central Government for its urgent intervention. For the past several months, since March 2026, NSCN and ZUF have allegedly been attacking innocent Kuki civilians who are unarmed. Even women, young children and pregnant women were not spared while they were doing daily work,” she said.
In Chandel district, Kuki women from villages along the Tengnoupal-Chandel corridor and border areas held a similar sit-in at the district headquarters. Leaders there said many interior settlements remain cut off due to insecurity and road restrictions, making it difficult to access markets, schools and health centres. They said the ongoing violence has affected the cultivation season and left families unable to farm, and demanded immediate deployment of central forces in buffer zones and reliable emergency medical and evacuation arrangements for villages that are isolated.
At all three venues, women leaders submitted a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the respective Deputy Commissioners. The memorandum placed five common demands. First, a thorough, impartial and time-bound investigation into all 27 killings by an independent central agency such as the NIA, CBI or a court-monitored SIT, and arrest and prosecution of those responsible regardless of ceasefire status. Second, deployment of adequate central forces in Kuki villages along IT Road and other vulnerable buffer areas to prevent further attacks and to restore confidence among villagers.
Third, immediate compensation, medical support and rehabilitation for affected families, including ex-gratia for families of deceased, coverage of hospital expenses for injured, and assistance for villages unable to cultivate due to fear. Fourth, uninterrupted movement of food, medicines and essential commodities to settlements along IT Road and interior Chandel areas. Fifth, a clear assurance that no armed group, regardless of identity or political affiliation, will be allowed to operate above the law. “We asked the government to thoroughly investigate all crimes against Kuki people so perpetrators are caught and justice is served. We place our faith in constitutional institutions,” Rebecca said.
Speaking at Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, Kuki Women Union president Ngaineikim strongly criticised the targeting of civilians. “NSCN-IM and ZUF-K should face the men instead of attacking innocent civilians and women,” she said. She alleged that while many Kuki civilians have been killed since March, public attention has been diverted. “Naga armed groups have killed many innocent Kuki people. Yet, with support of valley-based media houses, only the killing of six Naga men has been publicised, which has overshadowed the killing of many Kuki civilians by Naga armed groups. The bodies of Kuki civilians will not be laid to rest just by simple assurances and negotiations,” she said.
The protests come against the backdrop of escalating violence along the IT Road corridor. Officials and local reports said four Naga civilians were killed in an ambush on IT Road on August 27, while three Kuki civilians including two women were killed in an attack on N. Teikhang on August 31, followed by further attacks on Lasan and Songpibung on September 23 in which electric lineman Paojangam Chongloi was killed while repairing a power line. Civil society groups from both sides have exchanged allegations while central forces maintain a fragile buffer. Women leaders said ordinary villagers are caught in the middle and are unable to live, work and travel without fear.
Deputy Commissioners of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Chandel acknowledged receipt of the memorandums and assured that they would be forwarded to the Union Home Ministry. Police in all three districts said the protests remained peaceful, democratic and within constitutional limits with no untoward incident or road blockade reported. Organisers said they will continue to pursue legal and democratic means, including approaching the National Human Rights Commission, if their demands are not addressed. They appealed to all communities to refrain from targeting civilians and said the lives of ordinary people must not become collateral damage in competing political and territorial claims.
