KNO CHIEF Calls for PEACE Between KUKI and ZELIANGRONG

Ref No: ZG/OP 1-67/08 Dated Manmasi, 15 May 2026

Dear Brothers 

Jianchui Kamei, Chairman, ZUF & Leaders of the Zeliangrong BAUDI.

Chibai!

I would like to start off this letter of mine, by pleading for your forgiveness with a heart full of inhibitions and the silent weight of recent events bearing heavily on my mind...as I type these lines.

Ever since the Meitei's perpetrated pogrom upon the Kukis, which began from the 3rd day of May, 2023. I'm aware of your speeches, your statements of support. I will not forget the kindness, the love and support you have rendered to us through your actions and your words.

In recent times, the fratricidal feud among the Tangkhuls, which led to the killings of 4 cadres of the NSCN (EF) by the NSCN (IM) on March 28, 2026, in Hongbei village, Kamjong district, Manipur.

In consequence of which, around 5 houses of the Leaders of NSCM (IM) were burnt, even the house of Mr. V.S. Atem, this incident is very much in public knowledge.

After having washed their dirty linens in public, they are now deviously trying to pin the blame on Kuki Community as a whole, for the murder of the 4 cadres of NSCM (EF), nothing could be farther from the truth than this. Even those who are making these spurious accusations know fully well in their hearts that they are parroting and pandering a blatant lie. Now in a desperate attempt to cover up their fratricidal rivalries and cold blooded killings within their own organisation. They are now desperately 

seeking to convert the issue into a pan Naga versus Kuki issue, which in reality was & is never the case.

The cold-blooded murder of 3 Kuki Christian leaders in an ambush on the 13th of May 2026, - Reverend V. Sitlhou and 2 other pastors died, which is evident enough of their Satanic ploy to further divide, spread confusion, destruction and enmity between communities in the region.

The recent ambush and brutal killing of Rev. V. Sitlhou in Manipur have shaken the conscience of our people and stands as yet another grim reminder of certain sections taking undue advantage of the deteriorating security situation prevailing in the hill areas.

Rev. Sitlhou, a respected servant of God and a man known for his unwavering commitment to peace, reconciliation, and humanitarian service, was killed in an ambush while returning from Churachandpur to Kangpokpi district along with fellow church leaders after attending a religious program when their 

convoy was mercilessly attacked.

The incident has generated widespread outrage and sorrow across communities, with many civil society organisations, church bodies, and concerned citizens strongly condemning the heinous act.

Allegations emerging from various quarters have pointed toward the involvement of the so-called ZUF-Kamson faction, widely believed by many to function as a proxy aligned with the NSCN-IM network operating in the region. The cold-blooded targeting of unarmed church leaders and peace emissaries is not merely an attack upon individuals, but an assault upon the moral and spiritual fabric of society itself. Such acts of violence deepen mistrust among communities, inflame an already volatile situation, and undermine every sincere effort toward peace and coexistence in Manipur. The tragic death of Rev. Sitlhou therefore deserves not only solemn remembrance, but also a transparent investigation and justice so that those responsible are identified and held accountable before the law.

I am deeply pained by the knee-jerk re-actions of our youths upon my brethren, whose actions, I don't condole at all. I am still at a loss for words, from the moment I heard about it, until now. I keep seeing and reading the different press statements which you have made...even though we haven't met in person, I am nonetheless, truly grateful.

I must state here that Mr. Jinchui Kamei, the respected Chairman of ZUF, has emerged as a fearless and principled leader who continues to stand firmly for peace, truth, justice, and reconciliation at a time when Manipur remains deeply scarred by mistrust and ethnic tension.

In an atmosphere where even minor incidents are often manipulated and amplified to provoke wider communal hostility, Mr. Jinchui Kamei has consistently refused to succumb to pressure, fear, or divisive rhetoric. His courageous stance became particularly evident during the recent tensions arising from what was essentially a drunken altercation between certain Tangkhul and Kuki villagers - an unfortunate local dispute that some vested interests allegedly sought to magnify into a larger communal confrontation between the Naga and Kuki communities. Rather than allowing emotions, rumours, and inflammatory narratives to drag entire communities into unnecessary hostility, Mr. Kamei reportedly exercised restraint and wisdom, urging all sides to reject provocation and pursue peaceful understanding 

instead.

By refusing to become embroiled in communal conglomeration and by discouraging attempts to weaponize a localized incident for broader ethnic mobilisation, Mr. Kamei demonstrated rare political maturity and moral courage. At a time when many leaders choose silence, opportunism, or inflammatory posturing, he chose the far more difficult path of truth and reconciliation. His actions sent a powerful message that isolated disputes between individuals should never be exploited to ignite inter-community hatred among peoples who have coexisted for generations. Such leadership is both timely and necessary for Manipur, where peace can only be sustained through dialogue, restraint, mutual respect, and the collective rejection of forces seeking to divide communities for political or militant gain.

It will be apt to mention here that the high-level coordination meeting convened by the United Naga Council on 24 April 2026 at the UNC Office in Tahamzam, Senapati, reportedly failed to arrive at a unanimous resolution for any escalatory course of action against the Kuki-Zo community after key 

constituent civil society organisations from Chandel and Tamenglong districts firmly opposed any move toward full-scale confrontation.

The meeting, attended by representatives of various Naga apex bodies, student organisations, women’s unions, and district-level CSOs, exposed significant internal divergence within the broader Naga civic establishment regarding the question of war and communal escalation. In particular, the refusal of the Chandel and Tamenglong Naga CSOs to endorse any war mandate effectively blocked the adoption of a unified aggressive resolution, underscoring the existence of influential voices within Naga society advocating restraint, peaceful dialogue, and coexistence over violent confrontation. Their principled stand reflected a recognition that any ethnic conflict would disproportionately devastate border communities and further destabilize an already fragile region.

Zeliangrong Baudi leaders, It was a privilege for me to host an Agape Feast (Love Feast) for the former leaders. Wherein I presented a shawl to each one of them. Even with the new crop of leaders, I pray that the spirit of brotherhood between us will be renewed and strengthened evermore.

I also wrote an account of your history of how we have always lived together amicably, like the true brothers that we are, facing adversities & enemies together since Pu Jamchungnung Singson Kuki chief of Khongjang, and distributed the booklet.

Even in this present time and age, there will be Kukis who are still ignorant of this fact.

I take heart in the fact that I'd published the book for posterity, with the fervent hope that if the leaders today & in the future to come, know about our kinship, I am and will be grateful.

My earnest appeal to our Zeliangrong brothers and sisters, this is a time for wisdom, discernment, and restraint, not for being manipulated into a destructive cycle of ethnic hatred and bloodshed. We must carefully recognize and reject every ploy designed by certain elements to provoke a full-scale civil war between the Kuki and Naga communities, for such conflict will only bring ruin, displacement, and generational suffering upon our own people. Let us not allow the ambitions and political games of a few hardline elements to divide communities that have lived side by side for generations through both hardship and peace. The true strength of the Zeliangrong people has always been rooted in courage, prudence, and the ability to distinguish truth from provocation. Therefore, let us stand firmly for peace, dialogue, and coexistence, and refuse to become instruments in any devilish scheme that seeks to set the hills of Manipur ablaze with another tragic ethnic conflict.

I am in no way fit nor qualified to seek pardon from you all. But I do so, with folded hands, beseeching your forgiveness, for the irresponsible actions of our youngsters. Let's all live together in peace, love, unity and brotherhood.

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-(PS Haokip)

President, Kuki National Organisation

Zale'n-gam

MANMASI

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