Lamka: The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned the pre-dawn attack on Loibol Kholen village in Kangpokpi district, describing it as a “barbaric massacre” and calling for an immediate crackdown on all alleged illegal NSCN-IM camps operating in the hill districts of Manipur.
In a press release issued on Friday, KOHUR stated that heavily armed assailants attacked the Kuki-Zo village at around 4:00 AM on June 5 while residents were asleep. According to the organisation, three civilians — Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip — were killed during the attack. The organisation also cited reports from the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA), which stated that seven houses were burnt down and several other properties were damaged.
KOHUR alleged that the attack bore “every hallmark” of armed aggression carried out by NSCN-IM and its alleged proxy outfit, the ZUF (Kamson faction), against vulnerable Kuki-Zo villages along the fringes of the hill districts. The organisation expressed solidarity with the affected families and residents of Loibol Kholen.
The rights body further claimed that the Loibol Kholen incident was not an isolated case but part of what it termed a “sustained campaign of terror” against Kuki-Zo communities during 2026. In its statement, KOHUR referred to a series of violent incidents, including attacks in K. Songlung, Litan Sareikhong, Mulam Kuki village, Kharam Vaiphei, and the killing of three Thadou Baptist Association clergy members in May this year.
Criticising the authorities, KOHUR alleged that despite multiple FIRs and reported claims of responsibility by armed groups, there had been little progress in securing convictions in cases related to violence in Manipur since May 2023. The organisation said continued inaction had emboldened perpetrators and contributed to a climate of impunity.
KOHUR also reiterated its position that the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM does not extend to Manipur. Citing past government statements and security force positions, the organisation argued that any NSCN-IM camps operating in Manipur were “illegal armed encampments” with no legal protection under the ceasefire arrangement.
The organisation urged both the Centre and the Manipur government to launch a comprehensive crackdown on alleged illegal camps, order a time-bound National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the Loibol Kholen killings and related attacks, prosecute those responsible, strengthen security in vulnerable Kuki-Zo villages, and provide relief and rehabilitation to affected families.
Warning that continued inaction could worsen the situation in the hill districts, KOHUR stated that “the hour for decisive action has come” and appealed for immediate intervention to prevent further violence.
