Protest Held in Churachandpur Over Sexual Violence and Killing of Kuki-Zo Women During the Manipur Crisis

The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) Women Wing organised a sit-in protest on Thursday against sexual violence and the killing of Kuki-Zo women during the Manipur crisis.

The sit-in protest was staged at the Wall of Remembrance, Tuibong, in Churachandpur district of Manipur. Women from different parts of the district gathered in large numbers and participated in the protest.

The women protesters were seen holding placards bearing slogans such as: “Justice for Kuki-Zo women,” “Stop sexual violence in Manipur,” “The government’s inaction raises serious questions about its commitment to justice,” “Sexual violence is not war, it is a crime,” “Human rights for all, not some,” “We demand dignity, not silence,” and “Her pain is our pain—enough is enough.”

Following the protest, KWOHR and the ITLF Women Wing submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the district administration, Churachandpur.

In the memorandum, the two women’s bodies demanded immediate booking, arrest, and prosecution of all perpetrators involved in the sexual violence, killings, and abductions of Kuki-Zo women; time-bound, transparent, and accountable investigations with strict monitoring of the CBI and other agencies; independent judicial oversight of all cases of sexual violence and killings arising from the Manipur conflict; official recognition of sexual violence against Kuki-Zo women as crimes against humanity; adequate compensation; long-term rehabilitation; comprehensive mental health care for survivors and affected families; and protection of witnesses, survivors, and human rights defenders.

Speaking to The Hills Journal, KWOHR spokesperson Rebecca Haokip said that the organisation has a list of 29 innocent Kuki-Zo women who were killed in the conflict solely because they belonged to the Kuki-Zo community.

Rebecca stated that 23-year-old Nengtinlhing Haokip was one of the victims of gang rape who succumbed to her injuries on January 11, 2026. She said Nengtinlhing was abducted, gang-raped, and left to die. However, she managed to survive for nearly two years before passing away.
Stating that the demise of Nengtinlhing Haokip has deeply shaken the Kuki-Zo community, the spokesperson added that no justice has been served for Kuki-Zo women victims of the Manipur conflict. “That is why women’s organisations have come forward to question the government on why justice has not been delivered even now,” Rebecca said.

She further stated that since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in 2023 till the present day, the government has remained silent, which she described as a violation of human rights.
“What has happened to Kuki-Zo women should never happen again. This is why the entire Kuki-Zo community is compelled to demand a separate administration. Until and unless a separate administration is granted, there will be no justice for the Kuki-Zo people,” the spokesperson added.

Rebecca also mentioned that KWOHR and the ITLF Women Wing have drafted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India, which has been submitted to the district administration.
In the memorandum, the two women’s bodies reiterated their demand for immediate booking, arrest, and prosecution of all perpetrators involved in sexual violence, killings, and abductions of Kuki-Zo women; time-bound, transparent, and accountable investigations with strict monitoring of the CBI and other agencies; independent judicial oversight of all related cases; official recognition of sexual violence against Kuki-Zo women as crimes against humanity; adequate compensation; long-term rehabilitation; comprehensive mental health care for survivors and affected families; and protection for witnesses, survivors, and human rights defenders.