Manipur: Kuki-Zo community holds candlelight vigil for four UKNA cadres killed in Churachandpur

The Kuki-Zo community, along with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, November 5 evening at Brig. M. Thomas Ground in Kangpokpi District Headquarters to mourn the death of four United Kuki National Army (UKNA) cadres killed during a gunfight with Security Forces at Khanpi Village, Churachandpur District, on November 4.

The event drew a large crowd from across Sadar Hills, who came together in solidarity to express grief and condemn the incident. The vigil, marked by candle lighting and a minute of silence led by SAHILCA President Haokholen Kipgen, honoured the memory of the slain UKNA cadres.

Speaking to reporters, CoTU Joint Secretary Lamminlun Singsit described the killings as an “unprovoked and avoidable act” by security personnel.
“All Civil Society Organisations under CoTU deeply mourn the tragic demise of the four UKNA members who were brutally assassinated at Khanpi Village,” he said.

Singsit asserted that no Kuki-Zo insurgent group maintains hostility against the Indian Security Forces, making the operation “unjustified and unacceptable.” He warned that such actions have only deepened fear and distrust among the peace-seeking Kuki-Zo community amid the ongoing ethnic conflict.

He further emphasized that the Kuki-Zo people have been consistently advocating for peace and restraint, while demanding a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with Legislature, given their continued separation from the majority Meitei community.

The CoTU official also questioned the government’s silence over the Arambai Tenggol, alleging that the Meitei militant group continues to roam freely despite looting thousands of weapons from state armouries.
“It is disheartening that those defending their land with no hostility toward the Army were killed mercilessly, while the real perpetrators move unpunished,” Singsit said.

Meanwhile, key Kuki-Zo organisations from Tengnoupal and Moreh—including the Kuki Chiefs’ Association (Tengnoupal District and Moreh Block), Hill Tribal Council (Moreh), Kuki Students’ Organisation (Moreh Block), Kuki Women Union & Human Rights (Moreh Block), and Moreh Youth Club issued a joint statement condemning the killings.

Terming the incident an “avoidable tragedy,” the statement said the situation could have been averted through dialogue since “no insurgent group of the Kuki-Zo community is in hostility with the central security forces.”