The Bloodshed in Loibol

THE fragile peace in Manipur has been shattered once again by a brutal act of violence that defies humanity. In the early hours of Friday morning, at around 4 AM, the quiet Kuki village of Loibol Khullen in Kangpokpi District became a scene of terror. Heavily armed militants, allegedly belonging to the NSCN-IM, ZUF (Kamson) and VBIGS, launched a coordinated and unprovoked assault on the sleeping settlement. The attackers did not just burn down seven residential houses, leaving families homeless; they tore apart a family. Three innocent civilians were brutally assassinated: Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and young Jangminlal Haokip. Seven months pregnant with her unborn child, Mrs. Tinmary Haokip was mercilessly killed in the brutal attack. In the blink of an eye, a father, a son, and a seven-month pregnant mother with her unborn child were stolen from this world, their lives cut short by mindless bloodshed.

The outrage across the region has been instantaneous and profound, as seen in the press notes from local organisations. The Kuki-Zo Council strongly condemned the brutal attack, stating it “deepened fear and insecurity within our community”. Kuki Inpi, South-West Sadar Hills denounced the “unprovoked attack” and questioned the “conspicuous inaction of the Government”. Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity extended deep condolences, calling the incident a “clear and well-orchestrated battle plan... to rekindle the 1990 Kuki-Naga conflict”. Kuki Inpi Manipur vehemently condemned the barbaric attack, noting that “the deliberate targeting of civilians and the destruction of homes can never be justified”. Joining them in grief, the Hill Tribal Council Moreh has strongly condemned this “barbaric act of violence” and demanded a “thorough and impartial judicial enquiry on the incident”. The collective grief is heavy and demanding answers.

This tragedy forces us to ask difficult questions about those trusted with public safety. Recently, numerous security forces, including specialized units like the Cobra commando battalion, arrived in the region to maintain order. If these forces are on the ground, how could such a heavily armed, coordinated raid take place in broad daylight? The failure to prevent this slaughter points directly to a lack of political will from the state government. By failing to dismantle these lawless elements, the administration appears to be giving armed groups a free pass to commit atrocities. It is simply unacceptable for a state government to watch from the sidelines while its own citizens are terrorized and murdered in their beds.

True safety cannot grow from the barrels of guns, nor can real justice be achieved through endless retaliation. For Manipur to heal and become a vibrant, living society where every community feels secure, all sides must actively shun violence and choose the path of harmony. We must realize that true strength lies in peace, not in bloodshed that leaves children orphaned and parents heartbroken. The state and central governments must act immediately to arrest the perpetrators and protect vulnerable villages. Only by standing together against hatred can we ensure that the tragic loss of a father, son, and a seven-month pregnant mother becomes the final turning point toward a peaceful future for Manipur.

~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 06.06.2026

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