Imphal: In a stunning admission that has sent shockwaves across Manipur’s already fractured social landscape, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) — the apex civil society body of the Kuki community — publicly acknowledged on June 25, that Kuki militants killed six abducted Naga civilians. The reason offered at a press conference in Lamka was as chilling as the crime itself: it was done out of “emotion.”
KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, while admitting the killings and expressing regret, stopped short of naming the perpetrators or calling for any legal action against them. Instead, he framed the murders as an emotional outburst and spent considerable time speaking about the hardships faced by the Kuki community in the conflict-ridden state.
“The killing happens out of emotion and I am sorry for that. I apologize on behalf of my people”,Henlianthang said. For many in Manipur, that explanation was not just inadequate. It was an insult.
The six victims were Naga civilians whose bodies were recovered in a condition that left little doubt about the brutality involved — mutilated and dismembered. Rights groups have pointed out that the method bears a disturbing resemblance to the August 2025 murder of Thadou martyr Nehkam Jomhao, who was killed in a similarly barbaric manner allegedly by Kuki militants.
Among the dead were also three Thadou Baptist pastors — Rev. Dr. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou — all of them were ambushed and killed on May 13, 2026, at a KRA/KNO check post situated between Kotten and Kotzim villages in a Kuki-dominated area.
As per report, Rev. Dr V Sitlhou reportedly just days before his murder, on May 9, 2026, had firmly refused to dedicate the Kuki-Zo Flag — an act seen as asserting a distinct Thadou identity separate from the Kuki-Zo identity. Rights groups believe this refusal made him a target.
The Thadou Human Rights Advocacy (THRA) was quick to respond and did not mince words. In a strongly worded media release issued on June 25, the organisation condemned what it called the “evasive and self-serving” statements made by the KZC chairman at the press conference.
THRA pointed out that calling a cold-blooded killing “emotional” does not absolve anyone of criminal responsibility. The group also flagged what it described as a glaring inconsistency — Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) had earlier denied any involvement in the killings, while KZC has now partially admitted to them. THRA said this raises serious questions about orchestration, concealment, and obstruction of justice.
“Justice cannot be reduced to a press conference spectacle,” THRA said in its statement. “Selective apologies and victimhood claims will no longer shield those responsible for mutilation murders and targeted assassinations of peace emissaries.”
The right body has put forward a clear set of demands. It wants the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to examine every statement made at the June 25 press conference and investigate all individuals and organisations that may have had prior knowledge of, participated in, or helped conceal the crimes.
THRA has also demanded a broader NIA investigation into the murder of Nehkam Jomhao and the May 13 pastoral ambush. It is calling for the arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators and their supporters, and the complete disarmament of militant groups operating in any form across the state. Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic conflict for over three years now, with violence continuing to claim lives on multiple sides. Over 300 people have lost their lives during the 3 years long ethnic conflicts besides thousands were displaced in the state.
