FOR generations, the hills of Manipur have been home to vibrant tribal communities who share deeply rooted histories and faiths. The Kuki and Naga peoples are not just neighbours; they are brothers sharing a profound bond as fellow tribals and Christians. Yet, recent tensions have cast a long shadow over this landscape. While we acknowledge the release of 14 Kuki hostages, it is deeply distressing that 14 others including young teenagers like 16-year-old Hengunsei and 17-year-old Tonggoulen remain in illegal detention. When communities with so much in common are divided, the weight of the crisis is felt by every family yearning for safety.
The latest statements from the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the United Naga Council (UNC), and civil society groups in Nagaland like the Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organization (NZPO), Zeliangrong Baudi (N), and Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) reveal the raw anxiety of this moment. KIM has extended a Total Shutdown to demand the safe return of the remaining 14 individuals, while the UNC is working with the government to verify their status. Crucially, the joint appeal from the Peren district CSOs reminds us that these barbaric acts, especially following the tragic killing of church leaders, have no place among Christian societies. They rightly argue that such incidents should not be allowed to destroy the peaceful coexistence that has defined the tribes for decades.
At the heart of this appeal is a simple truth: the innocent must never be used as pawns. No individual or organisation should take the law into their own hands based on emotional outbursts. Because both communities share a foundation of faith that preaches grace and love for one’s neighbour, there is already a common ground to bridge this divide. Harming civilians only deepens wounds, making the road to reconciliation much harder for the next generation.
Lasting peace cannot be won through retaliation; it can only be built through genuine dialogue and the rule of law. The remaining hostages must be released immediately and unharmed to prevent further escalation. As the leaders from Nagaland and Manipur have voiced, we must contain this crisis before it spreads. Both Kuki and Naga leaders must choose the hard work of communication over the destructive cycle of violence. By resolving this crisis bloodlessly, these two resilient tribal groups can protect their shared heritage and secure the peaceful, stable future that their children deserve.
~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 16.05.2026
.png)
incidents of timeline which led to this conflict again:
ReplyDelete• March 16, 2020: The Kamjong Tangkhuls burnt 120 houses of Chassad village. The issue ended without any solution. Since many years ago, the Sampui chief started claiming Chassad’s land as theirs and inch by inch encroached them;
• May 3: 2023 the ATSUM peace rally (organized by both the tribal groups) turned into violence when the Meitei community targeted the Kuki community and turned blind eye to the Manipur Naga community (making the tribal unity a mockery) which looks like a pre-planned;
• February 2025: an AK 47 yielding men in combat uniform burnt 30 houses of Gampal & HaiJang village;
• March 2026: A brawl between few individuals at Litan Sareikhong broke out. Sareikhong chief tried to solve the problem customarily, but was rejected by the Sikibung villagers. Tension escalated, burning of houses, and gunfight took place. Both blame each other of starting the fire. In fact, the first house to be burnt belongs to one Mr. Haoneo Baite (a church worker). But the Tangkhuls claimed to be the victim;
• March 6: The NSCN (EF) abducted and eliminated 2 Kuki youths at Thowai hills. Kukis remained quiet, except for a small protest at Mongkot Chepu. The same day Kukis abducted 21 Tangkhuls but freed them after CM Khemchand’s assurance that the case will be handed over to the NIA and an appeal from various CSOs (belonging to both the Tangkhul and Kuki community);
Yet, in all of these, Kukis chose to remain silent, didn’t communalize or generalized the issue to a higher ground, but overlooked them positively.
• April 18: 2 Tangkhul boys were killed by unidentified gunmen (believed to be Kukis, yet to be proven). TNL president, Mr. Sword Vashum’s communal toned was like declaring a “war” on the Kuki community, saying ‘Kukis have imposed war on the whole Nagas’ (meaning, war is imminent), and asked the whole Nagas to rise together. This made the UNC declared total shut down on all Naga inhabited areas which I said is “communal”. Here, an incident took place where the bandh volunteers intentionally piled boulders at the main gate of the Changoubung Kuki village which was provoking and unacceptable to the Kuki community. The bandh was not objected. However, piling boulders on someone’s side to prevent them from movement is provoking. A brawl broke out, but under controlled. The Changoubung villagers blames the President, Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) for the unfortunate incident. The fact is, the citizens of T. Khullen (Manipur Naga) and Kuki Changoubung villagers exists side by side and have been living together as a family. Meaning, some outsiders are responsible for the hate within;
• Leplen-Sinakeithel area firing continues... Both sides are equally responsible;
• April 24: Tangkhul volunteers attacked and burnt Mullam. The unfortunate incident took the life of 2 Kukis and 1 Tangkhul;
• Under the initiatives of Nagaland Churches Forum, peace was initiated at a joint meeting at Kohima, where church and CSOs leaders from both the communities attended and agreed to stay calm for 2 months;
• May 6: They burnt Lanchah Kuki village. No MLA, no state/national media mentioned it except for few. All was quiet and peaceful as the Kuki community didn’t protest;
• May 7: 3 Tangkhul villages were attacked by the Kuki volunteers. Kukis claimed it was a retaliation to the Lanchah attacked. All state/national media, Opposition leader Ibobi Singh, HM and CM of Manipur condemned the attacked. The Kamjong MLA Mr. Leihiyo hints at external aggression and also visit the sites;
• May 13: An unfortunate incident took place where three Pastors/Reverends from the Thadou Baptist Association (I) were killed in an ambushed believed to be carried out by the ZUF (Kamson) in collusion with the NSCN (IM) and Valley based UGs.