Kuki Women’s Rights Body Seeks Shah’s Intervention, Independent Central Probe Into Killings of 27 Kuki-Zo Civilians, Including 8 Women

Hundreds of Kuki-Zo women took to the streets of Kangpokpi district headquarters on Wednesday, demanding justice and accountability for the alleged killings of women, children and other civilians and stronger protection for vulnerable communities in the hill areas of Manipur.

The protest rally, organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), Kangpokpi district, was part of a statewide mobilisation under the aegis of the KWOHR General Headquarters in collaboration with the Kuki Women Union Manipur.

The protesters marched from Nute Kailhang in downtown Kangpokpi to Brig M Thomas Ground in uptown Kangpokpi, raising slogans demanding justice for victims of recent violence and accountability for those responsible.

At Brig M Thomas Ground, the protesters held a brief sit-in, where several Kuki-Zo women leaders addressed the gathering. A two-minute silence was also observed in memory of the victims, including eight women and two unborn children.

KWOHR leaders later proceeded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi, and submitted a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking central intervention and an independent investigation into the alleged killings.

Addressing the gathering, KWOHR Kangpokpi district spokesperson Ngahneikim Chongloi said the women had assembled “not to spread hatred” or seek revenge, but to demand truth, justice and accountability.

“Since March 11, 2026, 27 Kuki-Zo persons, including two unborn children, have lost their lives in different incidents in the hill areas of Manipur,” she said.

Chongloi said the 27 victims were not merely statistics but mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and children whose deaths had left families devastated.

Specifically referring to the incidents involving the killings of 27 Kuki-Zo civilians, including eight women and two unborn children, she said there were “serious allegations” regarding the involvement of individuals and armed organisations, including NSCN-IM and ZUF-K.

She demanded that the Centre and competent authorities order a proper, independent and impartial investigation through the National Investigation Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation or another appropriate central agency.

“We are here to demand that the truth be established through a proper, independent investigation,” Chongloi said.

“A pregnant woman should be able to live to see her child born. A child should be able to grow up safely. An elderly person should be able to work in a field without fear,” she said.

“Our message is simple: We do not want revenge. We want justice. We do not ask anyone to be condemned without evidence. We ask that the evidence be properly investigated, the truth be established, and the law take its course,” Chongloi said.

“The lives that have been lost cannot be brought back. But their deaths must not be forgotten,” she said, adding, “We remember our beloved 27 Kuki-Zo victims, we stand with their families, and we demand truth, justice and accountability under the law.”

In a memorandum submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Kangpokpi Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi, the Kuki women's rights body alleged that the attacks involved cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF (Kamson), and urged the Centre to establish the facts, identify those responsible and ensure accountability under law.

The memorandum specifically highlighted cases involving women, pregnant women and children.

It said seven-month pregnant Tinamary Haokip, who was carrying an unborn child, was killed at Loibol Khollen in Kangpokpi district on June 5 along with her husband Letkhongam Haokip and brother-in-law Jangminlal Haokip.

It also cited the alleged killings of Tingneichin Lhouvum and Hoineineng Lhoujem, along with Lamtinmang Lhoujem, at N Teikhang village on August 31.

On September 13, Lhingzangai Singsit was allegedly killed at L Tollen village along with her husband Seineh Singsit, while their five-year-old son Henmisang was shot and critically injured, the memorandum said.

It further cited the killing of pregnant Julie Singson, who was reportedly carrying an unborn child of around two months, along with Thangvel alias Roel Gangte on September 13. Nei Esther Gangte, who was injured in the same incident, later succumbed to her injuries on September 20.

The memorandum also highlighted the alleged killing of 76-year-old Chongza Sitlhou and Kimneo Singson, a B.Sc Nursing graduate, while they were working in a paddy field at Leisangphai village in Tamenglong district on September 15.

The organisations said the killings of women, pregnant women and children warranted urgent intervention and called for the cases to be investigated independently.

The memorandum also referred to allegations concerning Anthony Shimray alias Ningkhan, including alleged links to recruitment and arming of village guards and the formation of ZUF (Kamson). It urged the competent investigating authority to independently establish the veracity of the allegations and determine the roles, if any, of individuals and organisations.

The memorandum also sought six demands to Union Home Minister.

1). NIA, CBI or another appropriate central agency to conduct an independent and impartial probe into the killings, including allegations concerning Anthony Shimray alias Ningkhan and others.

2). Legal action against all persons and organisations found responsible, including alleged members or associates of NSCN-IM, ZUF (Kamson) or armed village-guard formations.

3). Medical assistance, protection and rehabilitation for survivors, particularly injured persons, children and families who lost their primary breadwinners.

4). Appropriate compensation and relief for the families of the 27 victims.

5). Effective protection for vulnerable Kuki-Zo villages and civilian populations.

6). Accountability without discrimination, irrespective of the identity, organisation or community of perpetrators.

The memorandum stressed that the allegations must be independently investigated and established through due process, with perpetrators dealt with according to law.

The organisations said they would continue pursuing justice through peaceful and democratic means, urging the Centre to ensure that every civilian death is investigated, every perpetrator identified and every affected family receives protection, relief and justice.