UKNA claims the slain leader, Thahpi, had betrayed the group and exploited Kuki youth, leading to his “punishment.”
BY PC Bureau
June 30, 2025 – In a chilling escalation of internal tensions within Kuki militant groups, the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) has claimed responsibility for the deadly ambush that left four people dead near Mongjang village in Churachandpur district on Monday afternoon. Among the victims was Thangboi Haokip alias Thahpi, a senior leader reportedly associated with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and said to be its Deputy Commander-in-Chief.
The UKNA, in a press release issued late Monday evening, described the killings as an “execution of justice” against what it termed “betrayals from within.” The group accused Thahpi and his associates of having orchestrated the murder of two of its senior members — including (L) Tamin, a UKNA field commander, and a public relations officer — while allegedly exploiting young recruits for personal gain.
“While we were confronting our common enemy face-to-face, they backstabbed us by executing Tamin and our PRO,” the statement read. “Despite this, we chose peace and allowed community leaders to mediate. But the other side did not honour the settlement and continued to harass our cadres. We have monitored Thahpi’s actions and found he used and manipulated our dedicated youth for his own profit. Therefore, we carried out a justified penalty.”
The Attack
The ambush took place around 2 p.m. as the victims were travelling by car roughly 7 kilometers from Churachandpur town. According to police, the gunmen fired at point-blank range, leaving little chance of survival. A 60-year-old woman is confirmed among the deceased.
READ: Manipur: Unidentified Gunmen Kill 4 in Churachandpur
“Over a dozen empty bullet casings were recovered from the site. This wasn’t random — it was a calculated and brutal act,” said a senior police officer from Churachandpur, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Forensic teams are continuing to examine the scene, but no arrests have yet been made. Investigators initially had few leads until the UKNA’s public statement confirmed its involvement.
What is the UKNA?
The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) is one of several insurgent factions operating under the broader umbrella of Kuki nationalist movements in Manipur. Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Kuki-Gam, the group claims to advocate for the protection of Kuki identity, territory, and community interests. Though less prominent than its parent organizations like KNO or KNA, UKNA has been active in Churachandpur and other Kuki-majority areas.
Recent friction within these outfits has erupted over territorial influence, political representation, and profit-sharing — particularly around allegations of some leaders misusing their positions to further personal agendas at the cost of collective Kuki unity.
READ: Analysis: Why Have Kuki-Zo Tribals Disowned Their Own MP?
The incident has once again plunged the region into fear, with residents of Mongjang and surrounding villages expressing horror over the return of factional killings.
“This is a cowardly act that has no place in our society. We demand immediate action,” said a local community elder.
Security forces have stepped up patrols, set up additional checkpoints, and begun tracking known affiliates of the groups involved. The state government has not yet issued a formal response, but officials are said to be closely monitoring the volatile situation.
The ambush highlights the dangerous fragmentation within insurgent factions in Manipur — a state already grappling with decades of armed conflict, ethnic tensions, and recent communal violence. The line between political militancy and personal vendetta continues to blur, raising urgent questions about accountability and the future of peace in the region.
