The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations accused the state government and security agencies of failing to protect vulnerable Kuki-Zo settlements in the fringe areas of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
BY PC Bureau
May 26, 2026: A fresh armed attack was reported on Monday evening in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, with Kuki civil society groups alleging that Mongkot Chepu village came under a coordinated assault from multiple directions for more than four hours, further heightening tensions in the already volatile hill region.
According to a strongly worded statement issued on May 26 by the Working Committee of the Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs), Ukhrul Office, the attack targeted civilian residents of Mongkot Chepu and exposed what the organisation described as the continuing vulnerability of Kuki-Zo settlements located along the fringe areas of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
The organisation alleged that the assault began at approximately 6:48 pm and continued till nearly 11:08 pm. Armed assailants reportedly opened fire from three separate directions — Leingangching near S. Laho, positions close to the Litan Sareikhong-Tangkhul police station area, and the Sikibung-Lilen ridge.
The statement further alleged that mortars and other sophisticated weapons were used during the attack, triggering panic among villagers and forcing residents to take shelter through the night.
“This is not the first attack on Mongkot Chepu,” the statement noted, describing the repeated assaults as part of a “dangerous pattern of emboldened aggression and systemic security failure.”
The WCKCSOs questioned the effectiveness of the state administration and security apparatus, arguing that repeated attacks on vulnerable civilian settlements continue despite the presence of security personnel in the region. The memorandum was addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Security Advisor to the state government, Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district, and the Superintendent of Police.
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The organisation accused both the Manipur government and the Centre of remaining “silent, passive, and administratively paralysed” while Kuki-Zo villages continue to face recurring armed attacks. It warned that public confidence in the neutrality and credibility of the state could further erode if organised violence against minority Kuki-Zo communities is perceived to be tolerated or inadequately addressed.
“If the Government is unable to guarantee even minimum security to vulnerable Kuki civilians, it must state so honestly and facilitate alternative arrangements,” the statement said, adding that governance “cannot remain mute in the face of organised violence.”
The civil society body also cautioned that continued inaction could create a situation where authorities may eventually be forced to provide civilians with “ballistic vests and helmets” instead of ensuring their constitutional right to life and safety — a scenario it described as a “profound failure of governance.”
Mongkot Chepu has reportedly faced repeated attacks in recent weeks. Earlier incidents, including one reported on the night of May 23, allegedly involved firing from similar locations. Kuki organisations have consistently described these incidents as coordinated assaults occurring amid longstanding ethnic tensions in parts of the hill districts.
The latest violence underscores the continuing fragility of the security situation in Manipur, where ethnic clashes since 2023 have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands. Community leaders and civil society groups have repeatedly demanded stronger operational mandates for security forces, impartial intervention by the authorities, and urgent measures to prevent further escalation in the conflict-hit areas.
