Kuki-Zo organizations in Manipur have demanded immediate justice after two civilians were discovered bound and blindfolded in Ukhrul district, raising fears of renewed ethnic tensions.
BY PC Bureau
March 13, 2026 — Multiple Kuki-Zo tribal organizations have strongly condemned the killing of two villagers in Ukhrul district, attributing the deaths to suspected armed militants from the Tangkhul Naga community. The killings, described as “gruesome” and “inhumane,” have intensified fears of renewed violence in the region and prompted calls for immediate justice and intervention from Indian authorities.
The bodies of Thenkhogin Baite, aged around 42–45, from Thawai Kuki Village in Kamjong, and Thangboimang Khongsai (also referred to as Thangboimang Lunkim), 35, from Shangkai Village in Ukhrul—who had been living as an internally displaced person in Thawai—were discovered on March 12. Both victims were reportedly blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs.
A third individual, Letginthang Haokip, 29, also from Thawai Kuki Village, sustained a bullet injury to his leg and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
According to statements from the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), and the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the victims were apprehended on March 11 while repairing waterways in paddy fields. The organizations allege that cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland–Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), a Naga militant group, carried out the attack, violating existing non-aggression agreements between Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul communities.
In a press release dated March 13, the KZC expressed shock at what it described as a “merciless and inhumane act against innocent civilians.” The council said the victims were discovered under horrifying circumstances and condemned the killings in the strongest terms.
The statement also referenced concerns raised by local leaders, including the Chief Minister of Manipur and several civil society organizations, regarding the detention of individuals and the fate of missing villagers.
According to the council, the incident the painful reality that Kuki-Zo lives continue to be treated as insignificant in Manipur.” The continued violence and discrimination faced by the Kuki-Zo people only strengthen our conviction that our safety and dignity cannot be ensured under the present arrangement in Manipur. Our demand for a Union Territory with Legislature is therefore not merely political but essential for the survival and future of the Kuki-Zo people,” the statement said.
The condemnation came during the KZC’s 4th Governing Council Meeting held at the VTI Auditorium in Rengkai, where leaders from various tribes and Inpis across Kuki-Zo districts gathered for deliberations. During the meeting, KZC Chairman Pu Henlianthang Thanglet delivered a keynote address in which the council formally denounced the killings discovered a day earlier.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), in a press statement issued March 12, described the killings as the “culmination of a fabricated narrative” aimed at evicting Kuki-Zo communities from Ukhrul district. The statement also referred to earlier incidents, including the razing of Litan Sareikhong, a Kuki village, along with adjoining settlements several months ago.
COTU questioned the purpose of forming popular governments in Manipur if they fail to resolve such crises or deter armed groups such as the Zeliangrong United Front or NSCN-IM. The committee urged authorities to apprehend those responsible within 48 hours, warning that village volunteers might take preemptive measures to defend their land and communities if no action is taken.
In a separate statement, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) described the incident as a “gross violation of the agreements on non-aggression” reached under the Peace Working Committee and the Tangkhul Naga Long – Working Committee framework.
“The cold-blooded murder of two Kuki civilians and the violent assault on Mr. Letginthang Haokip reflect a grave betrayal of the trust shown by the Kuki community,” said Janghaolun Haokip, Secretary of Information and Publicity for KIM.
READ: Analysis: Killings, Ultimatums, and Silence of Kuki-Zo Leaders in Manipur
The organization called on the Tangkhul Naga Long – Working Committee and the Ministry of Home Affairs to produce the perpetrators and hand them over to the National Investigation Agency within 48 hours, warning that failure to act could lead to further escalation.
The killings mark the latest episode in a series of ethnic tensions in Manipur, where relations between Kuki-Zo, Meitei, and Naga communities have remained volatile since violence erupted in May 2023. The conflict has displaced thousands and resulted in significant loss of life.
Local sources suggest the latest incident is linked to ongoing disputes over land and resources in Ukhrul district, with Kuki-Zo groups accusing Naga militants of promoting narratives intended to displace their communities.
Manipur state officials have not yet issued an official response to the condemnations. Community leaders, however, are urging a swift investigation to prevent further unrest.
“Justice must prevail. The lives of innocent civilians must not become casualties of negligence, indifference, or hidden agendas,” KIM stated.
As tensions remain high, tribal organizations say they will continue advocating for peace while demanding accountability from both militant groups and government authorities.
