The Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs), Ukhrul, has strongly condemned the relentless killings and attacks on Kuki-Zo civilians across Kamjong and Ukhrul districts amid the failure of the Governments of Manipur and India to ensure their protection.
WCKCSOs-Ukhrul announces a total shutdown of National Highway 202 (ΝΗ-202) starting from midnight (12:00AM) of 18 October, 2026 till midnight of 22 October, 2026.
The statement issued by Kuki CSO Working Committee Ukhrul stated that “the disturbing events in Chassad raise grave questions about the integrity of the security establishment, the conduct of political representatives and possible misuse of state machinery. When civilians are fired upon from within a police station, the issue transcends security failure and strikes at the heart of command, accountability and possible institutional complicity.
“Barely five days after the brutal killings of Mrs Domkhonei Touthang and Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, four Kuki-Zos travelling to procure essential supplies from Phaikoh were ambushed between Phaikoh and Molvailup on 15 October 2026, leaving Mrs. Hatneikim Haokip dead on the spot while her husband was critically injured. On the same day, circle MLA Mr. Leishiyo visited Chassad but refused to meet the victims. Concerns were also raised that security arrangements for his visit diverted resources from other vulnerable locations. Why would an elected representative visit an embattled village yet decline to meet those affected? What justified the deployment, and did it leave other vulnerable areas exposed?
“More troublingly, on 10 October 2026, Mr. Leishiyo Keishing sought the deployment of state security forces through. DO No: 28/HOME/MLA/43-PHY/2026-02. His conduct surrounding the past incidents, especially of 9, 15 and 17 October, alongside the timing and purpose of his request, warrants an impartial investigation into the allocation of security resources and whether political decisions contributed to the vulnerability of Kuki-Zo civilians.
“Yet again, on 17 October 2026 around 2PM, Kuki-Zo men repairing electricity barely 60 metres from Chassad Police Station reportedly came under fire from a bunker within the station. Mr. Seikhohao Haokip, son of Mr. Thangkhochon Haokip of Chassad, was killed, while four others were injured: Mr. Seikhopao Haokip-Chief of Kachouphung Kuki (IPD), Mr. Thangjahao Haokip-Chief of Chassad, Mr. Khailun Haokip-Village Authority member of Chassad and Mr. Seikhohou-Village Authority member.
“According to the account received, a police constable and an IRB personnel questioned the five men about their activities. After being told that they were repairing electricity, the two returned to the station, following which gunfire erupted from the bunker, catching the men off guard. Who opened fire, and under whose orders? The personnel involved, their chain of command and any criminal or supervisory responsibility must be independently investigated.
“Equally alarming are reports of NSCN (IM) presence and movements around Chassad Police Station and the wider region. Has the station been compromised, and are armed groups operating in its vicinity without effective intervention? If the station remains under lawful state control, the authorities must explain how civilians working barely 60 meters away after duly inquired & informed could be fired upon from its bunker. If the militant presence is substantiated, the government must explain what action was taken and why the threat persists.
“The central questions are unavoidable: if the station has not been compromised, who authorised the firing on Kuki-Zo civilians? If personnel acted under orders, who issued them? And if armed groups operate around the station, who is accountable for this security breakdown? The possibility of collusion, command failure or political interference cannot be dismissed without a credible, independent investigation.
“The firing was followed by renewed attacks on Chassad, burnt more than 30 houses and forcing residents to seek shelter within their own village. Chassad also serves as a grouping Centre for displaced Kuki-Zos from Kamjong District, including families driven out by NSCN (IM) intimidation or whose villages were burnt by NSCN (IM). Having lost their homes and security, these families now depend on village volunteers for protection. Any weakening of Chassad’s defences further endangers an already displaced and traumatised population.
“WCKCSOS-Ukhrul is further alarmed by reports of NSCN (IM) movements around Litan Sareikhong, Sinakeithel, Sirarakhong and Ukhrul, alongside concerns involving ZUF (K). The conduct of MLA Leishiyo Keishing, the purpose of DO No. 28/HOME/MLA/43-PHY/2026-02, NSCN(IM)’s presence around Chassad Police Station and the incidents of 9, 15 and 17 October must be scrutinised as part of a comprehensive investigation into the continuing insecurity of Kuki-Zo settlements.
“Are these relentless attacks merely the consequence of security failure, or is political or state complicity enabling them to continue? WCKCSOs-Ukhrul does not pronounce guilt without investigation; it demands that the evidence be examined without political interference, selective accountability or institutional cover-up.”
OUR DEMANDS
1. Withdraw the present state security personnel from Chassad Police Station immediately and deploy a neutral Central security force, preferably Assam Rifles.
2. Investigate the presence of NSCN (IM) around the station and determine whether it has been compromised.
3. Order an independent probe into the bunker firing, the Phaikoh-Molvailup ambush, and MLA Leishiyo Keishing’s conduct, including DO No. 28/HOME/MLA/43-PHY/2026-02.
4. Establish whether security failure, collusion or orders from within the state machinery contributed to the attacks, and protect Kuki-Zo civilians and displaced families.
The Governments of Manipur and India must answer the questions they can no longer evade: who fired on Kuki-Zo civilians from within Chassad Police Station, has the station been compromised, and did any political or state authority facilitate these attacks? Every responsible individual must be held accountable, regardless of rank or office. Assurances without accountability are an insult to the victims.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF TOTAL SHUTDOWN
In protest against the continuing killings, the alarming circumstances surrounding the Chassad firing and the absence of a credible security arrangement, WCKCSOs-Ukhrul announces a total shutdown of National Highway 202 (ΝΗ-202) starting from midnight (12:00AM) of 18 October, 2026 till midnight of 22 October, 2026.
“Unless the demands are met, WCKCSOs-Ukhrul will pursue larger forms of intense agitation. The Kuki-Zo people will not accept the continued endangerment of their lives, the erasure of their suffering or the evasion of accountability.
“When civilians are killed, armed groups are alleged to operate unchecked, and bullets reportedly come from within a police station, silence is not an answer-and authority is not immunity” added the statement issued by the Department of Information & Media, WCKCSOs-Ukhrul.
