An annexure attached to the open letter lists nearly 30 Kuki-Zo women victims since May 2023, detailing allegations of rape, abduction, torture, lynching, and killings across multiple districts in Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) Women Wing has condemned what it calls a “complete collapse of justice delivery” in cases of sexual violence, killings, and abductions of Kuki-Zo women during Manipur’s ongoing ethnic conflict, which began on May 3, 2023.
Addressed to a senior constitutional authority, the letter accuses state and central agencies of failing to act despite what it describes as extensive documentary evidence of grave crimes. It alleges prolonged delays, opaque investigations, and the absence of arrests or convictions, leaving survivors and bereaved families without justice, rehabilitation, or dignity, while perpetrators continue to enjoy near-total impunity.
The letter is accompanied by an annexure listing nearly 30 Kuki-Zo women victims since May 2023. The documented cases include allegations of women being hacked with machetes, burned alive, tortured, raped, murdered, and lynched across multiple districts, including Imphal West, Sadar Hills, Lamka (Churachandpur), Kangpokpi, and Chandel. Several victims were elderly women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, allegedly killed during the initial days of violence in early May 2023, while younger women were reportedly abducted, gang-raped, and in some cases burned.
In a postscript, the COTU Women Wing refers to the widely reported May 4, 2023 incident in Kangpokpi district, in which two Kuki-Zo women were stripped naked, paraded publicly, and gang-raped—an episode that later triggered nationwide outrage after a video surfaced in July 2023.
The organisation has put forward a series of demands, including the immediate booking, arrest, and prosecution of all perpetrators involved in crimes against Kuki-Zo women; time-bound, transparent, and closely monitored investigations by the CBI and other agencies; and independent judicial oversight of all cases of sexual violence and killings linked to the Manipur conflict. It has also called for official recognition of sexual violence against Kuki-Zo women as crimes against humanity, along with adequate compensation, long-term rehabilitation, comprehensive mental health care, and robust protection for survivors, witnesses, and human rights defenders.
Appealing for urgent personal intervention, the letter warns that “justice delayed has become justice denied,” arguing that prolonged inaction has cost lives and deepened trauma within the community. It urges authorities to uphold constitutional values and restore faith in the rule of law, cautioning against the continued marginalisation and erasure of Kuki-Zo women.
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The ethnic conflict between the majority Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and hill-based Kuki-Zo tribes has claimed over 260 lives and displaced tens of thousands since May 2023. Allegations of sexual violence being used as a weapon of conflict—particularly against Kuki-Zo women—have been central to demands for accountability. While some high-profile cases led to CBI investigations and limited arrests, broader accountability has remained elusive.
Recent developments have further intensified scrutiny. In January 2026, a 20-year-old Kuki-Zo survivor of abduction and gang rape from May 2023 died due to complications linked to her injuries and prolonged trauma. Although her case was transferred to the CBI and a chargesheet was filed in 2025 against two accused—who were later granted bail—charges had not been framed before her death, prompting renewed criticism from human rights groups over systemic impunity.
The COTU Women Wing’s appeal echoes similar demands from Kuki civil society organisations and international observers for impartial investigations and recognition of these crimes under international human rights frameworks. Manipur remains under President’s Rule, and while large-scale violence has subsided, tensions continue. Authorities have not yet issued a public response to the letter.
