The Kuki-Jo Council has categorically denied any involvement of the Kuki-Jo community in the killing incident that took place in Ukhrul. The Council clarified that no individual or group belonging to the Kuki-Jo community had any hand in this incident, and that the reports being circulated in this regard are baseless.
सुलगता मणिपुर, नहीं रुक रही हिंसा, उखरुल में दो नागा नागरिकों की गोली मारकर हत्या, जातीय तनाव फिर भड़कने की आशंका
Amidst the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, unidentified armed assailants opened fire in the Ukhrul district on Saturday, killing two Naga civilians. A Naga group has held Kuki militants responsible for the incident, while Kuki-Zo organizations have denied their community’s involvement. This incident has once again heightened tensions within the state.
The incident occurred on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) as vehicles were traveling towards Ukhrul. A senior police official stated that the deceased have been identified as Chinaoshang Shokvungnao (45) and Yaruinngam Vashum (42). Shokvungnao was a resident of Tashar village and the son of Ruichumhao Shokvungnao, a retired Army personnel from the Naga Regiment; Vashum was the son of Thuimi Vashum, a resident of Kharasom village. Following the incident, additional security forces led by senior officials have arrived at the scene, and a search operation is underway to apprehend the attackers.
The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long expressed strong outrage over the attack, alleging that it was carried out by Kuki militants—groups currently under a ‘Suspension of Operations’ agreement with the government. According to the organization, the incident took place near Yaolen Kuki village, and both victims died on the spot. The organization stated that the attack occurred while passengers—including women, children, and the sick—were traveling from Imphal to Ukhrul. Six vehicles in the convoy were targeted, and the attackers utilized modern weaponry, including sniper rifles. The Tangkhul Naga Long also questioned the role of state and central security agencies, asserting that their inaction has emboldened the militants.
This incident occurred just one day after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s visit to Ukhrul, during which he had provided assurances regarding security arrangements and the deployment of Road Opening Patrols along the highway. Following this attack, the organization has also raised questions regarding the government’s claims and has demanded that immediate search operations be conducted in Yaolen and the surrounding Kuki-dominated areas.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has categorically denied any involvement of the Kuki-Zo community in the killing incident that took place in TM Kasom village of Ukhrul district. In a statement issued on Saturday, the KZC noted that certain media reports have alleged the involvement of Kuki militants—claims which are entirely baseless. The Council clarified that no individual or group belonging to the Kuki-Zo community had any hand in this incident. According to the KZC, based on information gathered from the ground, the incident appears to be linked to ongoing tensions between certain factions rather than being an act perpetrated by any Kuki-Zo organization.
The statement read, “It is extremely unfortunate that allegations are leveled against the Kuki-Zo community without proper verification or concrete evidence.” The Council further observed that whenever an incident involving the Meitei or Naga communities occurs in Manipur, the Kuki-Zo community is frequently and unjustly blamed. This not only distorts the facts but also tarnishes the image of the community. The KZC has appealed to social media users, media organizations, civil society groups, and the administration to thoroughly verify the facts and act responsibly before leveling allegations against any community or publishing news reports. The Council reiterated that the Kuki-Zo community played no role in this incident and urged all concerned parties to refrain from spreading rumors.
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