Teikhang Killings Trigger Outrage as CoTU Calls 24-Hour NH-2 Shutdown, NPYF, Kuki Bodies Demand Action Against NSCN-IM, ZUF

The killing of three civilians, including two women, in an alleged armed attack on N. Teikhang village along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district on Monday triggered strong condemnation from Kuki civil society organisations, with the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announcing a 24-hour total shutdown of National Highway-2 from Tuesday, September 1, morning.

The CoTU, Sadar Hills, called the shutdown from 5 am on September 1 to 5 am on September 2, protesting what it described as the continuing attacks and burning of Kuki-Zo villages allegedly by NSCN-IM and ZUF, including Monday's attack on N. Teikhang in which three civilians were killed.

Educational institutions, medical services, fire services, banking and electricity departments have been exempted from the shutdown.

The escalation came hours after an alleged attack on N. Teikhang village, located in the fringe area of the IT Road, about seven kilometres from Chalwa. According to statements issued by local organisations, around 50 heavily armed men allegedly attacked the village at about 8 am, opening fire on civilians and setting residential houses ablaze.

Three civilians were killed in the attack, including two women. They were identified as Tingneichin Lhoujum (40), wife of Tongpao Lhoujum; Hoineng Lhoujem (21), wife of Thanggoulen Lhoujem; and Lamthinthang Lhoujem (36), son of Seilun Lhoujem.

Four others sustained bullet injuries and were reported to be in critical condition. They were identified as Nemneichong Lhoujem (50), Seilun Lhoujem (70), Deilhing Haokip (55) and Kamtinsei Chongloi (38).

The National People's Youth Front (NPYF), Kangpokpi district, condemned the killings and alleged involvement of cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF (Kamson), saying the burning of civilian houses further underscored the gravity of the attack.

The NPYF demanded an independent, impartial and time-bound investigation, calling for every person found responsible—including perpetrators, facilitators and conspirators—to be brought to justice. It also urged the Centre and security establishment to act decisively and without discrimination.

The organisation specifically raised questions over the alleged involvement of NSCN-IM, a party to a ceasefire arrangement with the Government of India, and called for stringent action if violations of the agreed ground rules were established.

The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Twilang Block, described the incident as a "horrific and cowardly" attack on innocent civilians and alleged that armed cadres of the Liangmei Naga groups, led by NSCN-IM, jointly carried out the violence.

The KSO accused the state and central security apparatus of a "profound and systemic failure" to protect civilians and questioned how armed groups allegedly operating under ceasefire arrangements could move freely with weapons and attack unarmed villagers.

Demanding immediate intervention, the student body called for the deployment of central security forces to secure Teikhang, a swift operation to apprehend and prosecute those allegedly involved, and the revocation of any ceasefire protections it claimed were being abused.

The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Working Committee also condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing the alleged deliberate killing of civilians, particularly women, and burning of homes as acts of "extreme cowardice, savagery and moral bankruptcy".

The committee demanded an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged involvement of NSCN-IM and ZUF (K), asserting that there should be "no political protection, institutional silence or impunity" for those responsible.

It further warned that the continued restraint of residents in the Twilang area should not be mistaken for fear or weakness and urged the government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility to protect civilians before more lives are lost.

The coordinated condemnations came amid growing anger in the area over what the organisations described as repeated attacks on Kuki-Zo settlements.

With three civilians dead, four injured and houses destroyed in Monday's attack, the CoTU's NH-2 shutdown marks a significant escalation in the civil society response and is expected to affect movement along the crucial Imphal-Dimapur highway for 24 hours.

The organisations separately demanded accountability, immediate security deployment and protection of vulnerable villages, while calling for urgent medical assistance to the injured and relief and reconstruction support for affected families.