UKHRUL: Multiple Kuki civil society organisations have rejected allegations linking Kuki militants to the TM Kasom killings in Ukhrul, which left two people dead on Saturday, while Naga bodies have announced a three-day shutdown, candlelight vigil, and suspension of ties with Kukis following the incident.
In a statement, Kuki Inpi Manipur stated it “regrets” that the United Naga Council and Tangkhul Naga Long attributed blame to the Kuki community despite clarifications denying involvement, calling such attribution without evidence “unjust” and “morally indefensible,” and warning against attempts to incite violence on such grounds.
KIM also pointed to the presence of multiple armed groups in the area, including valley-based insurgent factions and elements such as Arambai Tenggol, alleging they may be fuelling tensions alongside vested political interests seeking to destabilise the state.
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The Kuki-Zo Council similarly denied involvement, stating the incident appears linked to tensions among other factional groups and that the Kuki-Zo community has been unfairly targeted without verification. The Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, further alleged that blame-shifting may be aimed at masking internal divisions.
The Chepu Yaolen Village Authority said the village has no armed group camps and stated that the incident occurred in Litan Sareikhong, not in Chepu Yaolen or TM Kasom.
In a video released by Wung Media, the father of one of the victims stated that the family travelled to Imphal due to his deteriorating health. According to his account, they were escorted up to Litan but were attacked shortly thereafter. The family alleged that Kuki militants from close proximity fired towards them. S.W. Chinaoshang (45) of Tashar village died on the spot.
Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM alleged that Kuki armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement were responsible for the attack, claiming their actions have “exceeded all tolerance limits.”
The group further alleged that such armed groups are being sheltered by Indian security forces, describing the situation as indicative of a breakdown in law and order. It also cited reports of alleged collusion between security forces and Kuki armed groups, accusing them of attempting to destabilise the region.
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The United Naga Council (UNC) raised concerns over what it described as the “inactivity of security forces,” noting that the incident occurred approximately 1.5 kilometres from an Indian Army post. It also questioned the handling of security along National Highway 202 by both state and central authorities.
An emergency meeting conducted by various Naga bodies imposed a three-day shutdown across Naga areas from midnight of April 20 to April 23, during which all institutions, businesses, and vehicular movement will remain suspended except for essential services. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for April 23 at 6:30 PM across Naga district headquarters and in Imphal, with social and economic ties with Kukis to be suspended during the period.
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The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between communities, with reports of exchanges of fire over the past two months in areas including Sinakeithei, Mongkot Chepu, Shangkai, and Thawai. In a recent incident at Mongkot Chepu, a BSF jawan was killed in a crossfire.