Kuki Women Union Slams Molnom Force, Demands Probe

THE Kuki Women's Union (KWU), Ukhrul District, has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a "brutal and disproportionate" use of force against civilians at Molnom on September 7, 2026, along with the arrest of Suspended Operation (SoO) cadres from the Gampum designated camp in Kangpokpi District.

In a statement issued through its Information & Media wing, the organisation questioned the authority under which the SoO cadres were arrested, asking whether applicable SoO ground rules were followed and who authorised the operation.

The KWU alleged that villagers who gathered to seek answers were subjected to assault and intimidation by the CRPF Cobra Unit. According to the statement, women were subjected to inappropriate physical contact, elderly persons and children were chased into their homes, live rounds were fired, civilians were injured, and property was damaged.

The union has demanded immediate answers on who authorised the use of live ammunition, what imminent threat justified firing near civilians, who ordered the use of force, who will be held accountable for injuries and property damage, and whether the Gampum arrests violated SoO ground rules.

Among its formal demands, the KWU called for:

1. Kangpokpi Police to take custody of the arrested cadres and handle the case in accordance with law.
2. A formal investigation into the legality of the Gampum arrests and any breach of SoO ground rules.
3. Identification of all personnel involved and their chain of command.
4. Preservation of all evidence, including operational footage, ammunition records, recovered cartridges, and civilian video evidence.
5. An independent, impartial investigation within a clearly defined timeframe, with accountability for those responsible.

"No uniform places anyone above the law. No SoO framework can be selectively respected. Molnom needs answers — not after-the-fact explanations, but evidence, justice and accountability," the statement said.