The Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul strongly condemned what it described as “reckless violence” in TM Kasom village, while accusing certain quarters of launching a “baseless and malicious blame game” against the Kuki community.
In a hard-hitting statement, the Committee said preliminary evidence indicates that the incident, in which two lives were lost around 2:30 PM, stemmed from an internal conflict involving NSCN (Eastern Flank) and elements linked to pro-Biren Arambai Tenggol groups.
Citing available visual evidence, the Committee claimed the attack bore the hallmarks of a “planned ambush,” and termed attempts to implicate the Kuki community as “illogical, unfounded, and deliberately misleading.”
It further alleged that repeated cycles of violence followed by blame-shifting point to a calculated effort to conceal internal divisions within such groups and divert public attention.
The Committee also flagged reports of unprovoked firing at Mongkot Chepu around 4:40 PM, terming it a deliberate escalation aimed at aggravating tensions.
Taking a tough stance, the organisation warned that it would initiate legal action against media houses and individuals responsible for disseminating “unverified and defamatory” reports targeting the Kuki community.
While extending condolences to the bereaved families, the Committee urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and refrain from amplifying unverified claims.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
