Kuki Women Union Condemns Killings, Demands Justice

Imphal, October 10, 2026: The Kuki Women Union (KWU), General Headquarters, has strongly condemned the killings of two people in Chassad village within two days, demanding immediate arrests, prosecution of those responsible, an independent inquiry and justice for the bereaved families.

In a statement issued by KWU-GHQ on October 10, the union said Pi Domkhonei Touthang, 42, wife of Pu Lallenmang Touthang, was shot dead at around 9 pm on October 9 when personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), stationed in the village, allegedly opened fire on a gathering of unarmed women.

The union described the deceased as a wife, mother and daughter of the soil, alleging that she was killed by the very force meant to protect her.

On October 10, Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, 23, son of Pu Paothang Haokip, was shot dead in Chassad, allegedly by armed cadres of the NSCN-IM and the Eastern Flank, according to the statement.

Condemning both killings in the strongest terms, the KWU said firing multiple rounds into a gathering of peaceful women could not be dismissed as an accident or a lapse of judgment. It described the incident as a grave crime requiring accountability.

The union also condemned the killing of Haokip, asserting that no grievance, claim or ideology justified taking the life of an innocent young man in his own village.

The KWU demanded the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of every IRB personnel involved in Touthang's killing under Sections 103 (murder) and 105 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with the Arms Act. It also called for the immediate removal of the IRB post from Chassad village.

The union further demanded the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for Haokip's killing, including anyone who aided or sponsored the act.

It called for a fair, time-bound and independent inquiry into the incidents, with the findings made public, as well as adequate compensation and support for both bereaved families.

Appeal to Manipur and Central governments

Addressing the Manipur government, the KWU said the state had a responsibility to protect every citizen but had failed to do so.

The union questioned how many more funerals would be needed before the authorities acted, stating that women were being shot by forces stationed among them while young men were being gunned down in their own villages.

It said it did not want condolence messages or empty assurances, but justice, accountability and safety for the people. The statement added that a government unable to protect its citizens had lost the moral right to govern them.

The KWU also directly questioned the Government of India over what it described as unequal protection for citizens in Manipur compared with those elsewhere in the country.

It asked whether the lives of people in the region were considered less valuable and why mothers and sons had to be buried while those responsible for the killings remained free.

The union questioned the meaning of the constitutional promise of equal protection if a woman could allegedly be shot by state forces and a young man killed in his own village without consequences.

It stressed that the people were citizens of India, not an inconvenience to be managed, and demanded the right to live in safety and dignity.

Solidarity with bandh and shutdown

The KWU said that, as mothers, sisters and daughters of the land, its members would not remain silent while their people continued to be killed.

The union expressed full solidarity with the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Kamjong District, in its indefinite, complete bandh and total shutdown at Chassad village. According to the statement, the protest would continue until the demands were met.

The KWU said the deaths of Domkhonei Touthang and Michael Ngamminlen Haokip would not be forgotten and pledged that their deaths would not be allowed to disappear into silence.

It also offered prayers for comfort, strength and peace for the grieving families.