The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has strongly condemned the ambush by suspected NSCN-IM cadres in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday evening that left a woman from the Kuki-Zo community dead, her husband injured and two other civilians missing.
The four Kuki-Zo civilians were travelling from Molvailup to Phaikoh when they were attacked by the militants.
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), in a press release, called for an immediate and impartial investigation, demanding accountability for those responsible for the ambush.
In the release, the council said the latest killing has taken the death toll of Kuki-Zo civilians in violence attributed to NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) to 30.
The KZC also raised questions over what it described as selective accountability in dealing with allegations of violence involving different armed groups in Manipur.
Referring to Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho’s reported demand for the removal of his colleague, Nemcha Kipgen, over alleged complicity in the killing of Naga civilians, the council said allegations against individuals and organisations must be investigated impartially, irrespective of political affiliations or community identity.
The council further stated that if Naga leaders were demanding the abrogation of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreements with Kuki armed groups, the ceasefire arrangement with NSCN-IM should also be reviewed under the same standards.
The KZC also referred to allegations of violence against Kuki civilians during the 1990s and recent killings, arguing that all individuals and organisations must be held accountable under the law.
Emphasising the need for equal treatment, the council urged the government to ensure consistent and impartial action against all allegations of grave violence.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilians in the strife-torn region, particularly those travelling between villages to procure essential commodities amid continuing tensions.
