The KZCl has called for a fair, impartial, and credible investigation into the killing of the six Naga hostages while stressing that no Kuki-Zo institution has endorsed or supported violence against civilians.
BY PC Bureau
June 26, 2026 — The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) on Thursday issued a formal clarification, stating that remarks made by its Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet during a press conference the previous day had been misinterpreted as an admission of guilt in connection with the killing of six Naga hostages amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.
In a statement titled “Clarification” (KZC/SIP/PR/056), the Council said it had taken note of media reports and public reactions following the Chairman’s comments made on June 25. According to the Council, certain portions of his speech were misconstrued as suggesting that the Kuki-Zo community had accepted responsibility for the incident.
“The Chairman’s expression of regret was made purely in the spirit of humanity, compassion, and moral responsibility,” the statement said. “His remarks were never intended to assign collective guilt to the Kuki-Zo people or to suggest that the Kuki-Zo community was responsible for the killings.”
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The Council explained that the bodies of the six victims were recovered from areas inhabited by Kuki-Zo people. In keeping with Christian values and humanitarian principles, the Chairman had expressed sincere sorrow and extended an apology to the bereaved families as a gesture of empathy, compassion, and shared human grief.
“It must not, under any circumstances, be misconstrued as an admission, confession, or acknowledgement that the killings were perpetrated by the Kuki-Zo community,” the statement emphasised.
The KZC further reiterated that “no political, social, or community institution representing the Kuki-Zo people has sanctioned, endorsed, or supported the killing of innocent civilians.” It stressed that the identity of the perpetrators remains unknown and called for a “fair, impartial, transparent, and credible investigation” to establish the facts and bring those responsible to justice.
The Council also urged the authorities to ensure that justice is applied equally to all victims of the ongoing conflict, including members of the Kuki-Zo community. It referred to the killings of Kuki-Zo civilians, the destruction of villages, attacks on churches, and the murder of religious leaders, while demanding that all such incidents be investigated thoroughly, impartially, and without discrimination.
“Lasting peace cannot be achieved through selective security measures or selective justice,” the statement concluded, adding that only an impartial application of the rule of law could help restore confidence among the affected communities and pave the way for meaningful reconciliation.
The clarification was issued by Ginza Vualzong, Spokesperson of the Kuki-Zo Council.
