The much-applauded release of 14 Kuki-Zo hostages on 9 June 2026 by the UNC has rightly flooded headlines, praises, and sermons on “higher moral ground.” Releasing hostages after 27 days is indeed commendable. But perhaps selective memory is now the official policy.
The Kuki CSO Working Committee Ukhrul stated that “on the very same day, Late Haokhogin Lhouvum, an unsuspecting farmer, was brutally killed in an attack by NSCN (EF) and ZUF (Kamson) at Lasan Village, Tamenglong District and Mongkot Chepu continued to face attacks from Lilen ridge of Sikibung by NSCN (EF). Apparently, these incidents were not important enough to disturb the celebrations.
“As if that was insufficient, the pre-dawn attack on Kultuk Village, Kamjong District, on 11 June 2026 around 4:00 AM left six houses burnt to ashes, two innocent civilians-1) Letminlun Haokip (Church Head Deacon) and 2) Lunminthang Haokip (Church Youth Chairman) brutally killed and another four civilians injured. Yet, the silence from authorities and large sections of the media remained golden.
“Since 3 May 2023, Manipur has become familiar with terms like “Meitei Police” and “Kuki Police.” With the fresh violence in Ukhrul and Kamjong, many are now reluctantly discovering what appears to be “Tangkhul Police” and “Tangkhul political authority” a perception reinforced by silence louder than words.
“Special appreciation must also go to Mr. Ram Muivah and Mr. Leishiyo, whose remarkable consistency in championing Tangkhul welfare through visits and official letterheads is matched only by their extraordinary silence when violence reaches Kuki-Zo villages. The role of the three Gandhian monkeys seems to have found worthy admirers.
“It is quite ironic to hear those who raise slogans of ethnic cleansing suddenly preach peace with the very same mouth. Peace, unfortunately, does not work selectively wishing for peace in your own house while tolerating or motivating violence against Kuki-Zos will not bring peace to your doorstep either.
“It is high time the Tangkhuls and Meiteis realise a simple truth: as long as the dream of wiping out Kuki-Zos is entertained, neither their communities nor Manipur will ever truly know peace.
“Peace built on selective humanity is not peace – it is merely a temporary pause before the next tragedy” stated the statement issued by the Department of Information and Media, WCKCSOs- Ukhrul.
