UKHRUL: Kuki bodies, including Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), have condemned and expressed their anguish over the killing of (L) Thenkhogin Baite, 45, of Thawai Kuki village, and (L) Thangboimang Lunkim, 35, an IDP settled in Thawai Kuki village in Ukhrul district, Manipur.
According to KIM, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, the two deceased Kuki civilians, along with Letginthang Haokip, 29, of Thawai Kuki village, were apprehended by suspected cadres of the NSCN-IM on Wednesday morning, in gross violation of the agreements on non-aggression between the Kuki and Tangkhul communities under the aegis of the Peace Working Committee and the Tangkhul Naga Long — Working Committee.
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“While two of the three Kuki civilians were murdered under barbaric conditions, Letginthang Haokip was brutally assaulted and shot in the leg. The cold-blooded murder of the two Kuki civilians and the violent assault on Letginthang Haokip reflect a grave betrayal of the trust shown by the Kuki community, which has consistently called for peace and restraint,” KIM stated.
It stated that its Emergency Cabinet Meeting on Thursday resolved that the Tangkhul Naga Long — Working Committee (TNL-WC) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, must produce the perpetrators before KIM, and that the accused must be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) within 48 hours.
“Failure on the part of the relevant authorities to take prompt and decisive action will inevitably lead to further escalation of tensions, and any such consequences shall rest solely with the Tangkhul Naga Long —Working Committee and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,” it warned, adding that the lives of innocent civilians must not be allowed to become casualties of negligence, indifference, or hidden agendas.
Also condemning the killings, Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) claimed that the two deceased were reportedly abducted by the NSCN-IM while they had gone to repair the water supply system serving their locality.Â
It further stated that the Tangkhul passengers who were detained at Shangkai village on Wednesday were released in the hope of securing the safe release of the Kuki civilians on humanitarian grounds at the behest of the incumbent state government which had urged their release while attempting to mediate for the safe return of the civilians.Â
“However, in a shocking betrayal of this humanitarian gesture, once the Tangkhul passengers were released, the two innocent Kuki men were reportedly killed mercilessly by the militants,” it alleged.
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KOHUR also demanded the immediate identification and arrest of all perpetrators involved.
“Failure to take swift and decisive action will compel the organisation to explore every possible democratic and legal avenue to intensify its demand for justice and accountability. The sanctity of civilian life must be protected at all costs, and such barbaric acts must never be allowed to occur with impunity,” it added.