Following a joint meeting at Kangpokpi district headquarters, KIM and UNC denounced the daylight burning of homes allegedly by the ZUF–Kamson group, warning that such acts deepen fear and instability in conflict-hit Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
January 27, 2026: The apex civil bodies of the Kuki and Naga communities—Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the United Naga Council (UNC)—have condemned the arson attack that gutted multiple households at K. Songlung (Part-II) village in Kangpokpi district on Republic Day.
The condemnation followed a joint meeting held on Tuesday at the Kangpokpi District Headquarters, convened to deliberate on the violent incident that unfolded in broad daylight on January 26, 2026, plunging the village into fear, displacement, and material loss.
The UNC delegation was led by its President Ng. Lorho, while the KIM team was headed by its President Ch. Ajang Khongsai. After extensive deliberations spanning the day, the two apex bodies issued a joint press statement denouncing the attack, which they described as a grave assault on peace, public safety, and communal harmony.
“The burning of civilian homes is not merely a criminal act; it represents a dangerous erosion of security for vulnerable villages,” the statement said, warning that continued impunity could further destabilise the region.
Emphasising restraint, KIM and UNC jointly appealed to the general public and all stakeholders to maintain calm and refrain from any form of retaliatory violence, cautioning that escalation would only deepen mistrust and compound the suffering of ordinary people.
The two bodies also issued a strong warning against the circulation of rumours, misinformation, and provocative narratives, particularly on social media, stating that such content risks inflaming tensions and undermining fragile efforts at peace.
Expressing solidarity with the affected families, the joint meeting conveyed deep concern for the victims and called for immediate relief measures and the delivery of justice to those impacted by the arson.
READ: Special Story | Bullets in the Back, Medals on the Chest: The Manipur Shaurya Chakra Row
The statement, signed by Ch. Ajang Khongsai, President of Kuki Inpi Manipur, and Ng. Lorho, President of the United Naga Council, sends a clear message that violence against civilians cannot be legitimised under any circumstance, and that peace must prevail over provocation.
As Manipur continues to grapple with prolonged instability, observers see the joint stand taken by KIM and UNC as a crucial step toward de-escalation, reinforcing the need for accountability, responsible governance, and sustained peace-building efforts across communities.
Meanwhile, the 24-hour total shutdown called by the Committee on Tribal Unity will proceed from midnight of January 27 to midnight of January 28, organisers said.
