Kuki CSO Working Committee-Ukhrul Cracks Down on Govt “Failure”; Orders Tax Shift to Kangpokpi Amid Escalating Tensions

In a dramatic escalation of political and administrative defiance, the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul issued a hard hitting directive accusing both the Government of Manipur and the Centre of “persistent and systemic failure” to protect the Kuki-Zo population in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.

In a statement titled “Directive Against Continued Failure of the Governments”, the organisation alleged that repeated representations and appeals by the Kuki-Zo community had been ignored, resulting in prolonged insecurity, administrative paralysis and what it termed as “institutional neglect” in the hill districts.

The Committee claimed that the governments had failed to operationalise the March 19 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ensure adequate civilian security arrangements, or establish any workable alternative administrative mechanism for affected areas.

The WCKCSOs-Ukhul further alleged that the situation was aggravated by “relentless intermittent attacks” allegedly carried out by NSCN (EF) cadres on May 22 in Kuki villages under Ukhrul district.

According to the statement, Mongkot Chepu village allegedly came under repeated attacks from the direction of Sikibung at around 6:39 AM, 8:14 AM, 11:35 AM, 2:28 PM, 3:30 PM, 7:54 PM and 8:28 PM on May 22. It further alleged that Patleijang village was attacked from the direction of TM Kasom/Roudei at around 10:30 PM on the same day.

The Committee asserted that the “continued failure” of authorities to prevent recurring hostilities had “gravely eroded public confidence”.

In one of its most significant announcements, the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul directed the Kuki Chiefs’ Association (KCA) to begin collection of all Hill House Taxes from Kuki villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts and formally remit the same to authorities in Kangpokpi district.

The organisation also instructed the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO)-Ukhrul to intensify “peaceful yet resolute democratic agitation”, including installation of signages and hoardings identifying Kuki villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong as falling under Kangpokpi district before June 1.

The Committee maintained that the measures had become necessary because of what it described as “continued governmental apathy, repeated security failures, and administrative indifference” toward the Kuki-Zo population.

Warning of serious consequences if the situation continues to deteriorate, the organisation stated that the “concerned authorities shall bear full responsibility for any further deterioration arising from continued inaction.”

The latest directive is expected to further deepen the already volatile ethnic and administrative fault-lines in Manipur’s hill districts, where tensions remain high amid continuing security concerns and competing territorial assertions.