Reaffirming its commitment to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, the outfit said the Kuki-Zo issue must be resolved through political dialogue and urged that “truth prevail over misinformation.”
June 13, 2026 : The Kuki National Front (KNF) has trashed allegations linking the outfit to a series of recent attacks on villages in Manipur, describing the accusations as “false propaganda” designed to undermine ongoing peace initiatives and derail efforts toward a political settlement.
In a press release issued on Saturday, , the KNF categorically denied any involvement in the alleged attacks on Loibol Khullen, Koltuh and Langka villages. The group also rejected accusations that it participated in subsequent attacks on Konsakhul villages following the burning of Kharam Vaiphei village and the abduction and killing of six residents from Konsakhul.
“The Kuki National Front has been constantly accused of being involved in killing civilians, attacks on Naga and Kuki villages, and all incidents of hostilities by a few media houses, social media handlers, and panellists,” the statement said. “The organisation unequivocally denies any involvement as alleged.”
The outfit alleged that certain sections of the media, civil society organisations (CSOs) and political figures have been irresponsibly circulating unverified claims without conducting proper fact-checking. It urged journalists and media institutions to independently verify developments on the ground before publishing reports that could inflame tensions in an already volatile environment.
According to the KNF, the current unrest in Manipur’s hill districts is being “engineered by a few politicians and social workers” with the intention of sabotaging the long-awaited political process concerning the Kuki-Zo community. The group claimed that attempts were being made to create mistrust and instability at a crucial stage of negotiations being conducted under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework.
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While rejecting allegations of offensive operations, the KNF defended the role of Kuki Village Volunteers, stating that they emerged across Kuki-dominated areas in the aftermath of the ethnic violence that erupted between the Kuki and Meitei communities in May 2023. The volunteers, the organisation asserted, were formed as a defensive response to protect villages, civilians and property during the prolonged conflict.
The statement credited these volunteers with safeguarding Kuki settlements against attacks allegedly carried out by “Arambai Tenggol and valley-based insurgent groups,” adding that many had made what it described as “heroic sacrifices” while defending their communities.
The KNF further claimed that Kuki villages continue to face repeated incidents of arson and attacks by “Meitei and Naga militants.” It maintained that village volunteers retain the right to defend their people and ancestral lands in the face of such threats.
Reaffirming its position as a signatory to the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Government of India, the KNF reiterated its commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution to what it termed the “age-old political issue of the Kuki-Zo people.” The organisation stressed that dialogue and negotiations, rather than armed confrontation, remain the appropriate path towards achieving a durable political settlement.
Concluding the statement, the KNF appealed for restraint and responsible reporting, calling for “truth to prevail over misinformation.” The release was signed by the organisation’s Department of Information and Publicity.
The development comes at a time of heightened tensions in Manipur’s hill districts, where competing ethnic narratives, allegations of violence and deepening mistrust continue to complicate peace-building efforts. As security concerns persist and political negotiations remain underway, accusations and counter-accusations from various stakeholders have further underscored the fragile nature of the situation and the urgent need for credible investigations and confidence-building measures.
