Drawing special attention to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Y. Khemchand Singh; Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla; Manipur Police DGP; SP of Ukhrul and media fraternity, the Working Committee of Kuki CSOs has set the record straight regarding a full-scale attack carried out on Mulam and Songphel Kuki villages by Tangkhul militants on April 24, 2026.
As per a statement issued on Friday, 24th April, the Kuki CSOs stated that the police spot inquiry revealed a deeply disturbing finding: the bullets used in the ambush on the Kuki village volunteers were the infamous looted ammunition from the state armoury, linked to Arambai Tenggol.
"This strongly indicates the involvement of, and support extended by, pro-Biren Arambai Tenggol to the Tangkhul militants (NSCN-EF) in the ongoing attempt to drive out Kukis from Ukhrul," it alleged.
According to ground reports and eyewitness accounts, the assault was launched from multiple directions, including Sirarikhong and Sinakeithel, along with an ambush set up on the IVR route between Mulam and Shongphel.
It was this ambush that led to the killing of two Kuki village volunteers Paominlun Haolai-22 yrs S/O Paomang Haolai of Shongphel Letlal shitlhou-41yrs S/O Thangsei Shitlhou of Shongphel, who had come from Shongphel to assist the villagers of Mulam.
Further, the attack also reduced sixteen houses to ashes in Mulam, left nine people injured prominently from Mulam and Shongphel.
The timely arrival of the 04 Mahar Regiment proved decisive in preventing the complete destruction of the village. They subdued the assault and led the rescue operations, with support from the BSF in evacuating the injured-particularly a minor girl and an elderly resident.
Additionally, a sustained and well-documented assault was launched on Mongkot Chepu from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m in the presence of the security forces in the area. The village volunteers were compelled to respond in self-defence when the attack resumed at approximately 4:50 p.m., once again by Tangkhul militants.
In another alarming incident around 5:45 p.m., Shangkai village and Zalenbung faced continuous and intense gunfire originating from the Thawai Tangkhul direction launched by Tangkhul militants (NSCN-IM/EF), in spite of the presence of security forces in the area.
Given the scale and frequency of these attacks on Kuki villages in Ukhrul, the Working Committee of Kuki CSOs stressed that it amounts to a coordinated and deliberate campaign of aggression against the Kukis.
"The government's bias is starkly evident in how the severity of the violence inflicted on Kuki civilians by Tangkhul militants has been downplayed, even as injured Tangkhul attackers were promptly airlifted for medical treatment," it said.
WCKCSOs details the people injured:
1. L Vahneilhing Mate W/O Lhunkhosei Mate of Shongphel
2. Letjakai Kipgen of Mulam
3. Ngamgousem Baite of Mulam
4. Nemneichong Baite D/O Seitinmang Baite of Mulam
5. Lhingkhoneng Haokil W/O Lhengkhopao Haokil of Mulam
6. Chinneikim Baite D/O Seitinmang Baite of Mulam
7. Baby Chinnunkim Baite D/O
8. Lalkhohao Vaiphei S/O Paogen Vaiphei of Dongshum
9) Seilenmang Simte S/O Lalminthang Simte of Khongtah.
The followings are the list of house owners of the houses that were burnt:
1) Paokholun haokip
2) Thangjangam haokip
3) Nemkhohoi chongloi
4) Thangminlun touthang
5) Lalcha mate
6) Thangminshon
7) Letkhothang haokip
8) Thangthong haokip
9) Janglalkai khongsai
10) Mangkhogin haokip
11) Simon haokip
12) Seitinmang baite
13) Jangmang haokip
14) Thangmang haokip
15) Manglun haokip
16) Thangminlun haokip
The Kuki CSOs also categorically rejected the allegations that Sinakeithel was attacked by the Kukis, as reported in several mainstream media outlets. "These claims are nothing more than a calculated narrative pushed by certain Tangkhul and Meitei groups, intended to divert attention from the documented attacks on Mulam, Shongphel, and other Kuki villages," it said.
The Kukis have warned that if matters further escalated, they would regard those criminal activities as a clear declaration of war against the Kukis, and would defend their villages and their people with every means at their disposal.
Any ensuing consequences will lie entirely at the feet of the state and the Government of India, it cautioned.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
