The Kuki National Organisation issued a formal clarification rejecting allegations that it had knowledge of or involvement in the abduction and killing of Mayanglambam Haokip, amid heightened tensions in Manipur.
BY PC Burau
January 22, 2026: The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) on Wednesday issued denied any involvement in the abduction and killing of a Meitei man, Mayanglambam, son of Chingnu Haokip, amid circulating allegations linking the outfit to the incident.
In a statement dated January 22, 2026, the KNO said it was “appalled” by claims that the deceased had been granted permission by the organisation to visit KNO and Tuibong Designated Headquarters (DHQ). The organisation categorically rejected the allegation, stating that it had no knowledge of any such visit and had no role whatsoever in the incident.
“Neither did the organisation have any knowledge of the visit of the deceased nor was it involved in the incident,” the statement said, referring to the killing that occurred on January 21 at Tuibong in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.
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Mayanglambam,a Meitie, married to a Kuki woman, was reportedly kidnapped by armed assailants and later killed, an incident that has triggered heightened tensions and speculation amid Manipur’s prolonged ethnic conflict. Social media chatter and unverified claims had suggested that the victim’s movement was linked to KNO-controlled areas, prompting the organisation to issue a clarification.
The KNO further asserted that under no circumstances are spouses or family members of individuals from other communities ever subjected to such actions, seeking to counter narratives that could inflame inter-community mistrust.
Background
Manipur has remained gripped by ethnic violence since May 2023, primarily between Meitei communities in the Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo groups inhabiting the hill districts. Armed groups, buffer zones, breakdown of civil administration, and the proliferation of weapons have created a volatile security environment where abductions, targeted killings, and retaliatory violence have become frequent.
Several Kuki armed groups, including the KNO, are signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India. Under the arrangement, cadres are confined to designated camps, and the groups are expected to refrain from unlawful activities.
In recent months, both Meitei and Kuki civil society organisations have accused armed actors on either side of exploiting the conflict to carry out targeted violence, often leading to misinformation and escalation through social media.
The killing of Mayanglambam comes at a time when trust between communities remains deeply fractured, and even unverified allegations can rapidly intensify tensions. Security agencies have yet to officially confirm the identity of the perpetrators or establish the motive behind the killing.
The KNO said the clarification was being issued in the interest of transparency and to prevent the spread of misinformation that could further destabilise an already fragile situation.
Investigations into the killing are ongoing.
