Vaiphei People’s Council and Kuki-Zo Council Condemn Attack on Leilon Munlui Village; KZC Says Such Developments Strengthen Demand for Separate Administration

The Vaiphei People’s Council (VPC) General Headquarters and the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) have strongly condemned the coordinated armed attack allegedly launched on Monday by NSCN-IM and ZUF-K cadres on Leilon and L. Munlui Vaiphei villages.

The Vaiphei People’s Council stated, “This is not a one-time incident. The pattern is clear: attacks on our villages are continuing day by day, deliberately targeting civilian settlements and spreading terror among innocent people. Only recently, Kharam Vaiphei village came under attack.”

“Today, the violence has struck again, leaving three civilians injured. Eyewitness accounts and ground reports confirm that the attackers deployed not only sophisticated weapons but also bombs in residential areas, a reckless act that endangers women, children, and the elderly,” the VPC said in a release issued on Monday.

The apex Vaiphei tribal body also held the Central security forces deployed at Konsakhul (a Naga village) accountable for their continued negligence. Despite repeated warnings and a clear escalation of attacks in the area, the deployed forces have failed to act with the urgency required, the release stated.

“Their apparent inaction and posture of ignorance have left our communities exposed and vulnerable. The primary duty of security forces is to protect civilians, and that duty is being neglected,” the VPC added.

Stating that the Vaiphei People’s Council General Headquarters stands in solidarity with the injured civilians and every family living under the threat of such attacks, the release added that the VPC will continue to raise the issue at every level until the people can live without fear and those responsible are brought to justice.

In a separate release condemning the incident, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) stated that the brutal attack and bombing were carried out on Leilon Munlui village in Kangpokpi district at around 6:00 a.m. on Monday, reportedly by NSCN-IM and its proxy outfit, ZUF-K.

Three Kuki-Zo youths — Genlenmang Vaiphei (15), Lunliandou Vaiphei (20), and Paogoulal Chongloi (18) — were seriously injured and evacuated to RIMS, Imphal, for treatment. Among them, Paogoulal Chongloi is a promising Indian footballer who has represented Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the KZC stated.

“This is not an isolated incident but part of a continuing pattern of violence against the Kuki-Zo community. The repeated killing of our people and burning of our villages point to a deliberate effort to terrorize and uproot the Kuki-Zo populace,” the release added.

Equally disturbing, according to the KZC, was the gathering of a large crowd at RIMS, Imphal, on the same day in protest over the treatment of the injured youths, prompting security forces to intervene and disperse the gathering. Such actions reinforce the painful perception that Kuki-Zo lives do not matter in Manipur, the council stated.

While condemning the tragic loss of the six Naga hostages, the KZC stated that it is equally important to recognize that since March 11, 2026, at least 14 Kuki-Zo people, including three pastors, have been killed in attacks reportedly carried out by NSCN-IM and ZUF-K.

During the same period, more than six Kuki villages have been set ablaze, causing widespread displacement, fear, and suffering among the people, the release added.

The KZC stated that these developments further strengthen the demand of the Kuki-Zo people for a separate administration. The council urged all citizens of India to condemn violence irrespective of community and appealed to the Government of India to recognize the urgency of a political solution.

“The Kuki-Zo are citizens of India. Our lives matter, and we deserve peace, dignity, security, and equality,” the release stated.