The press release issued by the Department of Information & Media, WCKCSOs-Ukhrul stated that “the WCKCSOs-Ukhrul strongly condemns the relentless attacks on civilians perpetrated by NSCN(IM) and NSCN(EF), and the failure of authorities to prevent further bloodshed despite prior warnings. Four incidents between 9 and 13 October expose a disturbing pattern of violence and raise a fundamental question: how many more civilians must suffer before the authorities act?
“On 9 October, Mrs. Domkhonei Touthang of Chassad village was brutally killed in an attack by IRB
personnel and NSCN(IM). On 10 October, NSCN(IM) again attacked Chassad, killing Mr. Michael
Ngamminlen Haokip. At around 6:00 AM the same day, Mr. Sandeep Rai (40), an innocent Gorkhali farmer cultivating leased land at Chepu Yaolen, was killed in an NSCN(IM) ambush along the Mahadev–Toloi–Pfutsero Road, above Kongjang (Shaila Khuti).
“On 13 October, at around 4:00 PM, a combined team of NSCN (IM) and NSCN (EF) cadres advanced nearly
one kilometre into the forest area (Uiliphoi ridge) of Shongphel Kuki-Zo village and opened fire on farmers and retreated to New Heaven after the attack. Mr. Bhim Bhandari (47 yrs), s/o Manbahadur Bhandari, original resident of Toribari, sustained a gunshot injury to one finger, while Mrs. Vahneilhing Haokip injured her ankle while fleeing for her life. Mr. Krishna Karki (42) and his wife, Mrs. Maya Karki (35), went missing amid the chaos before being found after a distressing search. The sudden gunfire left the farmers in
terror, forcing them to flee for their lives and endure the harrowing trauma of being hunted in their own fields, where they had gone simply to earn their livelihood.
“Of grave concern is the 6 October directive issued by TNL-WC through the Tangkhul Naga Ato Longphang
in the name of the UNC, requiring every Tangkhul village to submit lists by 12 October of 45 men for the Naga Village Guard (NVG), 35 for the Naga Central Task Force, and 10 for the NVG Eastern Command Special Task Force. The selected personnel were to report to headquarters on 13 October—the very day of the Shongphel attack. Messages circulated in Tangkhul WhatsApp groups further claimed that the combined NSCN(IM)/NSCN(EF) team had killed three Kuki-Zo persons and recovered four HK-4 weapons during the 13/10/26 Shongphel attack. The timing of the mobilisation and the circulation of these claims demand independent scrutiny, not official silence or convenient dismissal.
“The deliberate distortion of Manipur’s conflict narrative must end. While Kuki-Zos are repeatedly blamed for the violence, attacks and killings perpetrated by NSCN (IM), NSCN (EF) and ZUF (K) are downplayed or obscured by selective media coverage. Kuki-Zos cannot continue to be scapegoated for their own suffering while the perpetrators escape scrutiny. The Governments of India and Manipur, the media and all communities must confront the evidence and reject propaganda that distorts the truth.
“WCKCSOs-Ukhrul is gravely concerned that Ukhrul Police had information about NSCN(IM)/NSCN(EF) movements since the last week of September, yet successive attacks continued amid mobilisation by Tangkhul bodies. What preventive measures were taken, and who will be held accountable for the failure
to protect civilians? An impartial investigation must establish the facts and fix responsibility.
“The killing and injury of innocent Gorkhali farmers/civilians raise serious concerns about the safety of communities peacefully co-existing with Kuki-Zos, recalling reports of Meitei-Pangal transporters being assaulted and threatened two to three months ago for carrying goods to Kuki-Zo areas. No minority should be punished for showing humanity or sacrificed at the altar of ethnic hatred.
“WCKCSOs-Ukhrul calls upon the Pangals, Gorkhalis and other marginalised communities, particularly the Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union (MGWU), All Manipur Muslim Organisations Co-ordinating Committee
(AMMOCOC) and United Meitei-Pangal Committee (UMPC), to resist intimidation and divisive
propaganda and stand firmly for truth, justice and peaceful coexistence.
“The Governments of Manipur and India can no longer hide behind hollow assurances while civilians are killed and prior warnings go unheeded. Manipur risks crossing a point of no return, where peaceful
coexistence becomes a distant dream and lasting peace an irretrievable casualty. The authorities must protect civilians, investigate the attacks impartially and hold those responsible accountable” added the statement issued by the Department of Information & Media, WCKCSOs-Ukhrul
