Two pigs sacrificed, ₹11 lakh paid, and a protest abruptly withdrawn—yet the Army claims no involvement. Who’s telling the truth?
BY PC Bureau
June 28, 2025 — Days after the Indian Army denied that the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) had reached any settlement with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) over the killing of Hoikholhing Haokip—a Kuki-Zo woman reportedly caught in crossfire on June 19—new evidence suggests elements of a customary, compensation-based agreement were quietly carried out.
Sources in Churachandpur told Power Corridors that two pigs were sacrificed in keeping with tribal traditions—one during Haokip’s funeral and another the following day, reportedly for the ITLF. Additionally, the victim’s family is said to have received ₹11 lakh in compensation, a detail initially reported by local media and now corroborated by insiders.
Despite the Army’s flat denial of any involvement in a settlement, records indicate that the Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police visited the ITLF office on June 21—just hours before the group withdrew its indefinite shutdown across the hill districts. While the Army maintains it was not part of these discussions, multiple sources insist that the JKLI Commanding Officer was directly involved.
If the Army’s denial is to be taken at face value, then for whom, exactly, were the officials negotiating with ITLF leaders Ruchard Hmar and Thangzamang Hangshing. And if the woman was not killed by JKLI bullets, whom were they trying to shield?
If Not JKLI, Who Killed the Kuki Woman? Make Autopsy, Forensic Reports Public
JusticeForHoikholhing#ManipurTransparency #CrossfireControversy#JKLIAccountability #ITLFSettlementQuestions#RevealTheReports #StopMediaBlame https://t.co/mFCVIohCUW— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) June 24, 2025
Unless postmortem, and all details about negotiation and settlement are made public, the theory that Haokip died in a crossfire will appear to serve more as a smokescreen than a substantiated claim—particularly in a state like Manipur, which witnessed over 1,500 alleged fake encounters over the years.
Mysterious Negotiations and Withheld Evidence
The secretive nature of the discussions, the undisclosed source of the ₹11 lakh compensation, and the absence of any official record have raised serious concerns—not just about this incident but about broader issues of accountability and the role of the security forces.
READ: Kuki, Others Win as Nagaland HC Stays Enumeration Drive
“If the Army claims innocence, then let forensic evidence prove it,” said a Churachandpur-based rights activist. “Withholding these reports only deepens public distrust.”
The incident has gained added sensitivity after reports that another civilian—a Meitei farmer—was injured in the same exchange of fire, fueling further speculation about what really happened.
A Denied Settlement, but Visible Signs
Whispers of a behind-the-scenes deal first surfaced after the ITLF abruptly called off its protest on June 21. Several media outlets reported that JKLI had offered compensation in accordance with tribal customs. The Army’s denial came only the following day—prompting questions about the timing and sincerity of the rebuttal. Was it an afterthought aimed at damage control?
READ: Centre to Hold Back-to-Back Talks with Meitei, Kuki-Zo Groups Next Week
Equally curious is the ITLF’s sudden silence. Despite its initial outrage, the group has since refrained from demanding transparency or a formal investigation. Insiders suggest that both the ITLF and district officials may have opted to downplay the matter to avoid embarrassing the Army amid the
Mounting Demands for Accountability
The incident comes amid ongoing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities, which has claimed over 260 lives since May 2023. With Manipur under President’s Rule since February 2025, the state remains on edge. Meanwhile, security forces are under increasing scrutiny for alleged human rights violations.
Rights activists are now calling for:
The immediate release of Haokip’s autopsy and forensic reports
Full disclosure of any settlement agreement between JKLI and the ITLF
A judicial or independent inquiry into the killing
An explanation for the abrupt withdrawal of the ITLF’s protest
“The credibility of the state and security forces is at stake,” said a local community leader. “Only transparency—not silence—can restore public faith.”
