Kanggui: Responding to the allegation against Mrs. Lhingjajoi Hangshing, the UKYC clarified that Mrs. Hangshing is the legitimate and respected former Village Chief of Kailenjang. The NPO had alleged that she had ‘sold the village’. Reacting to this, UKYC stated that this claim is a blatant lie fabricated with the intention to grab Kuki land. The council asserted that no customary or legal sale of the village land has ever taken place and no documents exist to prove such a transaction.
The UKYC further stated that Mrs. Hangshing retains full moral authority to speak for her village and for the displaced villagers who have been forced to flee due to the ongoing conflict. The council maintained that the question of chieftainship is an internal matter of the Kuki customary system and the NPO has no customary right, legal standing or traditional authority to dictate who is or isn’t a Kuki Chief. Interfering in the internal affairs of another community will only vitiate the atmosphere and create further mistrust.
On the second point regarding the hateful remark – ‘Kuki are blood thirsty’, the UKYC expressed strong resentment and condemnation. The NPO in its statement had reportedly mentioned that ‘unlike the Kuki, the Naga peoples aren’t blood thirsty by nature’. The UKYC said this statement is an open display of racial hatred and dehumanization of the entire Kuki community. Such a communal slur against a whole community cannot be tolerated in a democratic society and reflects the mindset of the organisation.
The council stated that branding an entire community as blood thirsty is highly inflammatory, irresponsible and dangerous at a time when efforts are being made to restore peace and normalcy in the state. UKYC said such remarks are unbecoming of a civil society organisation which claims to represent the people. The council demanded an unconditional apology from the NPO for issuing such a derogatory and communal remark and urged all civil society organisations to refrain from using language that promotes hatred and division among communities.
Addressing the third allegation where Kuki refugees have been labelled as ‘Narco-terrorists’, the UKYC termed it as defamatory and dangerous. The council said branding innocent Kuki villagers who have lost their homes and villages as narco-terrorists is an attempt to criminalize victims and justify violence against them. The UKYC questioned who is the real refugee in the land and said history itself refutes the lies propagated by the NPO against the Kuki people.
Elaborating on the historical facts, UKYC stated that the Kuki People have a recorded history of the Anglo-Kuki War from 1917 to 1919 in the official British records, where they fought against the mighty British Empire for their land and freedom. This war is well documented and recognized. The council claimed that the Kacha Nagas have no such history of fighting the British Empire in official British records. This itself, according to UKYC, proves who are the sons of the soil and who are the real refugees in this land. The council said history cannot be erased by press statements.
On the Kailenjang incident of 26th September, 2026, the UKYC made its stand clear that it does not condone violence against any innocent civilian, whether Kuki or Naga. The council stated that if any incident has occurred at Kailenjang, it should be properly investigated through due process of law. UKYC demanded a thorough, impartial and time-bound investigation by a Neutral Central Agency such as the CBI or NIA, and not by agencies that are under the influence of the NPO.
The council said that attempting to pre-judge the incident and attribute it to Mrs. Hangshing without any inquiry or evidence is malicious and amounts to character assassination of a woman chief. UKYC said such premature conclusions will prejudice any fair investigation and will further endanger the life of the former chief. The council urged that law should be allowed to take its own course and that no one should be declared guilty through press releases and social media trial without proper investigation.
On the announcement of a 12-hour total shutdown including military convoy, the UKYC termed the move as illegal and amounting to holding the State to ransom. The council said the announcement to stop even military convoys and government offices in Senapati District is against the law and creates hardship for the general public. It is worth noting that the United Naga Council (UNC) has just lifted its blockade to allow peace to return, but now the NPO is imposing a fresh 12-hour total shutdown. This shows that their intention is not peace but to continuously harass the public and disturb normal life.
Concluding the statement, the UKYC said the NPO should be questioning why 29 Kuki villages have been burnt, why more than 2000 Kuki civilians are homeless and displaced and why 26 Kuki lives have been lost, instead of issuing defamatory statements against a Kuki woman Chief. The UKYC reiterated its demand for immediate deployment of neutral central forces in the vulnerable areas, legal action against armed groups involved in arson and attacks, and immediate relief and rehabilitation for the displaced Kuki people. The statement was signed by the Information and Publicity Wing of the United Kuki Youth Council (UKYC).
