KZC Urges Equal Justice, Humanitarian Aid in Manipur

New Delhi, July 13: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has appealed to the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, security agencies, the media, and the people of India to ensure equal justice, immediate humanitarian intervention, and an expedited political solution to address the prolonged suffering of the Kuki-Zo people amid the ongoing conflict in Manipur.

In a press handout issued on 13 July 2026, the Council stated that for more than three years the Kuki-Zo people have endured repeated attacks, displacement, destruction of property, and deprivation of basic rights. It claimed that while much public attention has focused on the Meitei conflict, Kuki-Zo communities have also been subjected to violent attacks by armed Naga groups in several areas, resulting in deaths, destruction of homes, displacement, disruption of essential supplies, and denial of healthcare.

Fifteen Civilians Killed, Villages Burned

According to the KZC, at least 15 Kuki-Zo civilians have been killed since March 2026, while around 55 houses in 14 Kuki-Zo villages were allegedly burnt during the conflict involving armed Naga groups. It cited recent incidents in Noney district where residents of Leikot fled into nearby forests after their homes were burned on 2 July, followed by the reported burning of Nungthut and Khongmol villages on 8 July by suspected NSCN (Muivah) and ZUF-K militants.

The Council said the violence stemmed from an incident at Litan Sareikhong in February 2026. It claimed that although the Kuki-Zo community attempted to resolve the matter through traditional tribal mechanisms, those efforts failed, eventually leading to the burning of Kuki-Zo houses in the area.

Abduction and Killings

KZC stated that the first fatalities occurred on 11 March 2026 after five Kuki-Zo individuals were allegedly abducted by persons suspected to be affiliated with NSCN (Muivah). In response, Kuki-Zo villagers detained 21 Naga civilians to secure the release of the abducted persons. Following the intervention of the government, the detainees were released as a gesture of goodwill, but two abducted Kuki-Zo individuals were later found dead.

The Council further alleged that four Kuki-Zo civilians had already been killed before the widely reported killing of three Kuki-Zo pastors. It said that within four months, a total of 15 Kuki-Zo civilians had lost their lives in incidents reportedly involving NSCN (Muivah) and ZUF-K militants.

While strongly condemning the killing of six Manipur-Naga hostages, KZC maintained that the incident was neither authorised nor endorsed by any Kuki-Zo political, social, or community leadership. It demanded that those responsible be identified and prosecuted through a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation.

At the same time, the Council expressed concern over what it described as unequal attention by authorities and the media. It argued that although the killing of six Naga hostages received extensive focus, the deaths of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians—including three pastors—since 11 March had not received the same urgency or media coverage. The Council stressed that justice must be impartial and applied equally to all.

Healthcare Access Raised

The KZC also highlighted an incident on 15 June 2026 in which three Kuki-Zo youths were seriously injured during an alleged attack by suspected NSCN (Muivah) and ZUF-K militants at Leilon Munlui village in Kangpokpi district. Among them was Mohun Bagan Super Giant footballer Paogoulal Chongloi, who reportedly requires advanced medical treatment.

According to the Council, the injured youths were initially admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, but protests reportedly arose against their treatment, forcing them to leave the hospital and shift to Churachandpur District Hospital. KZC described the incident as a serious violation of constitutional guarantees and humanitarian principles, stating that healthcare should never be denied on the basis of ethnicity.

Blockade of Essential Supplies

The Council also alleged that Kuki-Zo residents in Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, and Kamjong districts continue to face severe hardship due to restrictions on movement and disruption of transportation routes. It claimed that villages such as Chassad, Aishi, Kotlen, and Leilon have experienced shortages of food and basic necessities, while supplies destined for Kangpokpi town have reportedly been blocked at Namdilong and Senapati.

The KZC stated that the prolonged blockade has resulted in petrol prices reaching as high as ₹250 per litre and LPG cylinders costing up to ₹5,000, placing a heavy burden on affected families. It questioned why authorities had not acted with the same urgency as in previous road blockades in Kuki-Zo areas and called for equal enforcement of the law.

Calls for Political Solution

Reiterating its long-standing demand, the Council said repeated attacks by both Meitei and Naga groups, destruction of homes and places of worship, and the displacement of thousands had eroded the Kuki-Zo people's confidence in the existing administrative system. It argued that the demand for a Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory with Legislature is a necessity arising from continued insecurity and suffering.

The KZC urged the Government of India to expedite meaningful political dialogue addressing the aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people while ensuring lasting peace, justice, security, and protection of their rights and identity.

Five Demands to the Government

In its appeal, the Council urged the Government of India to:

• Conduct a fair, impartial, and time-bound investigation into the killing of Kuki-Zo civilians and the burning of villages.
• Ensure unhindered access to healthcare and guarantee the safety of Kuki-Zo patients.
• Reopen all blocked routes to allow uninterrupted movement of food, medicines, fuel, and other essential commodities.
• Strengthen security in vulnerable areas to protect civilians and prevent further attacks.
• Expedite meaningful political dialogue towards a just and lasting political solution for the Kuki-Zo people.

The statement concluded by affirming that the Kuki-Zo people remain committed to peace, dialogue, and democratic processes, while seeking the intervention of the Government of India to uphold justice, constitutional rights, and ensure a secure and dignified future for the community.

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~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
Joint Editor, Zogam Today