Winner: Grace Ngurte, Tuithaphai
1st Runner Up: C. Lalruatpuii, Aizawl
2nd Runner Up: Rebecca Thiek, Assam
3rd Runner Up: Lydia Lalhmingmawi, Tuithaphai
4th Runner Up: Christina Lalvarzing, Tuithaphai
Best Costume – People's Choice
Winner: Jesita Lalmuanpuii, SHC (4628 votes)
1st Runner Up: Lydia Lalhmingmawi, Tuithaphai (3557 votes)
2nd Runner Up: Lalrintluangi, SHC (1632 votes)
Miss Popular:
Lydia Lalhmingmawi, Tuithaphai
Miss Congeniality:
Melina Lalsiemmawi, SHC
*W/A
Lamka, December 10, 2025: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has warmly welcomed the upcoming visit of the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, who is scheduled to arrive in Manipur on December 11 for a two-day programme. The council stated that her visit comes at a crucial time and brings hope to thousands affected by the ongoing conflict.
According to a statement issued by Ginza Vualzong, Secretary of Information & Publicity, Kuki-Zo Council, the President will attend official events in Imphal and a programme in the Senapati district. While appreciating these engagements, the KZC expressed its sincere wish that President Murmu, being a tribal herself, would also visit Kuki-Zo areas to meet victims who have suffered greatly since the outbreak of violence.
The KZC noted that President Murmu is respected not only as the First Citizen of India but also as someone who understands the challenges, dignity, and identity of tribal communities. The council said it hopes her presence will help draw national attention to the long-neglected concerns of Manipur’s tribal people, especially the Kuki-Zo community, who continue to face displacement, insecurity, and targeted attacks amounting to ethnic cleansing.
The council urged the President to take note of the humanitarian crisis and use her office to help ensure justice, restoration, and lasting peace in the region.
JOSHUA VAN, born Joshua Van Bawi Thawng on 10 October 2001 in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar, has made history by becoming the first Myanmar-born and first Southeast Asian fighter to win a UFC championship.
On 7 December 2025 at UFC 323, the 24-year-old defeated Brazilian champion Alexandre Pantoja to claim the UFC Flyweight title — becoming the first fighter ever to stop Pantoja in the process. The win also makes Van the second-youngest UFC champion in the organisation’s history.
Van’s path to the belt is one of resilience and determination. An ethnic Chin and part of a large family, he fled Myanmar at the age of ten due to political instability. After spending time in Malaysia, he eventually relocated to Houston, Texas, at twelve, where he began building his life and sporting career. Despite holding Burmese and American dual heritage, Van represents Myanmar in UFC competition and has become a symbol of pride for the Chin community and the wider Burmese diaspora.
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Known by the nickname “The Fearless”, Van fights out of the 4oz. Fight Club in Houston. Standing 5ft 5in with a 65-inch reach, he competes in the Flyweight division (125 lbs). His aggressive style, relentless pace and high striking volume have quickly made him a fan favourite. Since making his professional MMA debut in 2021, he has compiled a strong UFC record of nine wins and one loss from ten fights.
His opponent, 35-year-old Pantoja, entered the title bout with vast experience — 17 UFC fights, consisting of 14 wins and 3 losses. Van’s victory not only handed Pantoja his fourth career UFC loss but marked the first time he had ever been defeated by stoppage.
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Van’s championship triumph is a landmark moment: the first time a Myanmar-born fighter has captured a UFC belt, the first Asian male born in Asia to win a UFC championship, and a defining achievement for Southeast Asian MMA. His rise from refugee to world champion has resonated globally, establishing him as a powerful symbol of hope, perseverance and national pride.
The Chin National Front (CNF) has issued a special congratulatory message honouring Joshua Van after he became the new UFC Flyweight World Champion. Van secured the world title by defeating Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja through a Technical Knockout (TKO) just 26 seconds into the first round in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 7, 2025.
CNF praised Joshua Van as a source of pride for the Chin community and the entire Southeast Asian region. At a young age, he has already made history as one of the youngest champions in UFC history, setting a remarkable milestone for Myanmar and the wider region.
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In its statement, the CNF highlighted Van’s exceptional talent, perseverance, and dedication, noting that his success reflects not only his hard work but also the strong moral support of his family. His story, marked by honesty, discipline, and gratitude, was described as an inspiration for the new generation.
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The organisation extended its best wishes to Joshua Van for future victories and the successful defense of his newly earned championship title.
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~ KV NEWS
Lalramsan Bawm, 32, a Kuki-Chin villager from Sunsawng, was brutally killed inside the Sunsawng Bangladesh Army camp, reportedly under the command of Major Arefat. According to local sources, Lalramsan was taken from his village on 5 December and went missing for five days. His body was later recovered from the Sunsawng camp on 8 December 2025.
The army had earlier claimed that he was being kept at the Ruma Cantonment, but his body was found inside the Sunsawng camp itself. The incident appears to be connected to the arrest of Palek Mro on 1 December, who was suspected of having links with the KNA. Lalramsan, the brother-in-law of Palek’s wife, voluntarily went to the camp when the army asked for him.
Reports say that he was beaten severely, his limbs were broken, and he died from the torture under the leadership of Major Arefat.
The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) has condemned the killing and is demanding a fair investigation and justice for Lalramsan.
IN THIS touching photo, a Kuki mother and her young children are seen visiting the grave of her late husband, who was killed during the Manipur violence that began on 3 May 2023. The mother bends over the grave in deep grief, while the children gently touch the headstone and the flowers around it. They came to pay tribute to the man they loved, and the children wanted to see their father’s face again, even if only through the picture engraved on the grave.
Christmas and New Year are approaching, a season usually filled with joy, family gatherings, and parents buying gifts for their children. But for this family, the festive season brings loneliness, silence, and memories of happier days. Still, the mother brings her children to the grave so they can feel close to their father, talk to him, and honour his memory. The colourful flowers around the grave contrast with the pain they carry, showing both love and loss. It is a quiet reminder of how the conflict has changed the lives of many families forever.
“Will her tears, and the sacrifice of the man she loved, be lost to the winds of time? The questions drift through the still air as she stands before his grave, her children gathered in the shelter of her arms.”
~ KHALVONTAWI NEWS
The movement began as a tribal people’s movement but later became a political movement focused on the Zo ethnic groups. At that stage, the Nagas withdrew, as it was no longer a general tribal issue but a Zo-specific political demand.
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It then became a true people’s movement of all Zo ethnic groups worldwide—internationally, nationally, and locally in Manipur. During this rare moment, if civil leaders had formed a strong, united political platform, the civil bodies could have been the main stakeholders and negotiators with the Centre.
However, unity never materialised. Civil groups failed to build a cohesive platform, so the process reverted to the UPF/KNO as the recognised negotiating entities. A people-led movement thus lost the chance to become a civilian-led political negotiation—a historic lost opportunity.
But there is still hope: with renewed unity, organisation, and strategic civil leadership, the Zo civil bodies can regain influence and play a meaningful role in shaping the future.
@Pakhum
Across India, major political status demands—such as statehood or Union Territory status—were led by civilian leadership, including MLAs, MPs, and organised public movements. In Manipur, however, the political demand of the Zo ethnic groups (Kuki, Zomi, and Hmar) follows a different pattern: the Centre engages primarily with insurgent groups, not with civil society or elected representatives, resulting in the absence of a broad democratic movement.
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Civil pressure groups like the KZC, ZC, and others exist, but they cannot become the main stakeholders because negotiations are centred on armed organisations. In this structure, civil bodies can only play a secondary role—providing community consensus, offering democratic legitimacy, advising negotiators, maintaining unity, and presenting civilian concerns through memoranda or elected leaders.
As a result, civil leaders are sidelined, public participation is limited, and the process appears security-driven rather than people-driven. Therefore, the goal ball now lies largely in the hands of the insurgent groups’ negotiation with the Centre.
Summary: Civil bodies—including KZC and ZC—cannot lead the political talks but hold an important supporting role by shaping opinion, preserving unity, and influencing the final settlement indirectly.
@Pakhum
| Fiscal Year | Total Allocation (₹ crore) | Valley (₹ crore) | Hills (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | 5,000 | 4,892 | 108 |
| 2018–19 | 4,900 | 4,750 | 150 |
| 2019–20 | 5,000 | 4,880 | 120 |
| 2020–21 | 7,000 | 6,959 | 41 |
| TOTAL | 21,900 | 21,481 | 419 |
Thangkhal nam sung taksa lam a kipawl limna ZOMI FINS Band te makaihna tawh Live Concert thupi tak nei hiding a, ZOMI FINS Band Leadguitarist-pu inn zong laa zilna neih in, kisak kholna paipih tou lellel uhi. Tuni 9 December 2025 in Laa zilte refreshment man di'ng Pu MG Muanlal Thangkhal in ZOMI FINS Band Leader Pu Kammuanpau, Chief of MT Geltam kiang ah dangka Rs. 10000 pia hi.
Concert ni ding leh a mun ding awl in hong kizasak kik ding hi.
SIM LEH MAR, SAK LEH KHANG, A OM THANGKHAL MIPI TE HIH PAWI UAP DINGIN KI SA KHOL CHIAT NI.
Pasian in Pu MG Muanlal Thangkhal leh Zomi Fins Band te THUPHA toh ung phungvuh tou sem ta hen aw!
~ KHALVONTAWI NEWS
Lamka, 9 December 2025: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has strongly criticised Meitei MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh for what it called an “irresponsible publicity stunt” during his visit to the Kuki-Zo IDP relief camp at Litan Sareikhong, Ukhrul, on 8 December.
According to the press note issued by Ginza Vualzong, Secretary of Information & Publicity for the Kuki-Zo Council, the visit was made without prior information to Kuki-Zo leaders, camp authorities, or even the district administration. The KZC said reports indicated that the MLA was on a trip to meet BJP workers in the area and made an unscheduled stop at the IDP camp on his way back.
After the visit, the MLA reportedly circulated photos and videos online presenting himself as a peace-maker in the ongoing conflict in Manipur — a move the KZC has strongly objected to.
The Council also raised a pointed question about his absence during the critical days of 3–7 May 2023, when violence broke out and Kuki-Zo families in and around Imphal were attacked and displaced. The statement questioned what had prevented him from speaking up during the tragedy, saying that his silence then and sudden concern now “do not align”.
The KZC further stated that the location of the visit did not amount to any significant achievement, noting that Meiteis have always been able to travel freely to Ukhrul and other Kaccha Naga-dominated areas. A brief stopover during a leisure trip, it said, did nothing to bring safety, justice, or accountability for displaced families who continue to suffer.
Calling the MLA’s action “insincere”, the Council warned all individuals against visiting Kuki-Zo areas or relief centres without prior communication with community leaders. With the conflict still unresolved, such unannounced visits could spark misunderstanding or unwanted confrontations, it added.
The KZC also rejected what it described as Khemchand’s attempt to use the suffering of IDPs to portray himself as a hero or peace-maker, saying such behaviour is neither welcome nor meaningful. “Peace must be discussed at the appropriate table — not manufactured through photo opportunities or viral videos,” the statement concluded.
The press note was issued by Ginza Vualzong, Secretary, Information & Publicity, Kuki-Zo Council.
Ukhrul, 8 Dec 2025: The Kuki Inpi Ukhrul District (KIU) has issued a strong condemnation against an uninvited and unauthorized visit made by MLA Y. Khemchand to the Litan Sareikhong Relief Camps. In a press release on Monday, the KIU described the sudden appearance of the MLA—accompanied by what it called an excessive number of security personnel—as a serious breach of protocol, propriety, and humanitarian sensitivity.
According to the KIU, the visit caused deep distress among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are still living under trauma and uncertainty. The apex Kuki body stated that such a visit was "profoundly disrespectful" to a community still awaiting justice, adding that true goodwill cannot be shown through political posturing.
In a sharp rebuke to MLA Khemchand, the KIU questioned his silence during the months when Kukis were "persecuted, displaced, and subjected to unimaginable cruelty." The organisation said that during those critical days, many lives were lost and villages were destroyed, yet no support or concern came from the MLA's office.
The KIU further alleged that the recent visit appeared to be a calculated political exercise designed to create a false sense of normalcy and allow certain political leaders to freely enter Kuki relief camps. It also accused the MLA of using the situation to promote his image within his community.
Clarifying its own position, the KIU noted that the limited movement of Meitei individuals through Ukhrul had been allowed out of respect for Tangkhul neighbours, whose commitment to peace had long been appreciated. This should not, it emphasised, be misinterpreted as permission for political figures to enter Kuki areas without protocol.
The KIU also criticised valley-based media houses for merging two unrelated events—MLA Khemchand's visit and a journalist's interview with an IDP inmate—claiming that this misrepresentation created a false narrative. It urged media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity.
The KIU reaffirmed that it remains steadfast in safeguarding the rights, safety, and dignity of the Kuki people, vowing to ensure that all future engagements strictly follow established procedures.
THE photo shows large pieces of Khuainou, a traditional honeycomb collected from the forest. The combs are cut open, revealing hundreds of white larvae packed inside each cell. Some sections have a little, big round shape in the middle, which is called “Khuaiphaang.” They are all spread out on a wooden table, ready to be cleaned or prepared.
Khuainou is not
only a traditional food but also an important source of income. Today, it has
become quite valuable because of its taste and nutritional benefits. In the
local markets of Lamka, one kilogram can cost around Rs 2,500. Even though collecting it is risky and requires
skill, it remains a meaningful part of Thangkhal culture and livelihood.
Photo credit: Mr Suasuan, Kotlian village, Thangkhal Hills
~ KHALVONTAWI MEDIA
The Thangkhal Baptist Church (ABA) Delhi celebrated Advent Christmas 2025 on Sunday, 7 December 2025, at its chapel. The theme for this year was, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)
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His message was short, peaceful, and
direct. He also encouraged the members by reminding them, “We have to count
our blessings.”
LEENGKHAWM – Singing and Fellowship
After the worship service, the
congregation gathered at the Pastor’s Quarters for lengkhawm.
Lengkhawm literally means “flying together”, but in practice it is a
heartfelt time of singing soulful hymns while beating a traditional handmade
drum. It brings joy, unity, and spiritual warmth to the gathering.
Meanwhile, Ms. Chingthianmawi,
Secretary of the TBCD Women Department, shared an important achievement: the
church has completed reading the entire Thangkhal Bible—from Genesis to
Revelation—on this very day.
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This Bible reading project was initiated by the Women Department and began on Sunday, 2 March 2025. It concluded on 7 December 2025. On the final day alone, 43 members read different chapters to complete the whole Bible.
The church thanked the Women
Department for leading this meaningful project, and all glory was given to God.
Grand Feast and Thanksgiving
The senior-most member present, Mr.
Ginsuanhang, prayed a thanksgiving prayer and asked for God’s blessings over
the feast.
A variety of delicious dishes was
prepared by members of the Local Church Committee. The aroma was so tempting
that, as the local secretary humorously noted, “even a cat came to check and
went back with a bent neck!”
A Note from the Church’s History
Thangkhal Baptist Church Delhi (ABA)
was inaugurated on Sunday, 2 September 2018, by the late Rev. Khaikhanthang, in
the presence of two elders from the TBC (ABA) Headquarters—Upa Thangsuanhang
(late) and Upa Kampau.
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