Kuki-Zo Leaders Targeted While Meitei War Mongers Let Loose, Say Tengnoupal CSOs; Call Total Shutdown

Accusing the Central Agencies/Authorities of indifferent attitude on communal line, the Kuki-Zo civil organisations in Tengnoupal District of strife-torn Manipur have called a 12-hour Total Shutdown in the district with effect from 5:00 AM today, 1st May, 2026.

The shutdown prompted the alleged arbitrary arrest of Mr. Otkhothang Baite, a resident of Moreh, an Indo-Myanmar border town, on 30th April, by the National Investigating Agency (NIA).

In a statement, the civil organisations stated that the allegation made by the Police Department against a social leader could not be justified by one and all.

"This arbitrary arrest of a social leader merely based on input and FIRs given by Meitei Police Officers should stop immediately in the district. The Kuki-Zo leaders are targeted while the Meitei war mongers are let loose in the state," said Kuki-Zo CSOs.

The Civil Society Organisations of Tengnoupal District, including the Kuki Chiefs' Association, Molnoi Area Welfare Council, Hill Tribal Council, Kuki Students' Organisation and Kuki Women Union & Human Rights, brought out the fact that Mr. Otkhothang Baite was the former Chairman of Canan Veng, HTC Unit-XI who was a true dedicated and honest social leader. He retired from his service due to hearing impairment and had been the sole bread earner of his family.

Demanding justice to prevail, the Kuki-Zo civil bodies have appealed the central authorities especially the investigating agencies to exercise the power so that balance of justice is maintained and not on a communal line for a united India.

The National Investigation Agency on Thursday arrested the alleged prime accused in connection with the 2023 killing of a Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) in Manipur, Chongtham Anandakumar Singh, on October 31, 2023.

The NIA accused that Otkhothang Baite alias Othang Baite was allegedly involved in the conspiracy behind the attack carried out during the peak of ethnic violence in the state.

Earlier this month, the agency had also arrested another accused, Kamginthang Gangte, in connection with the case.