Guwahati: The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned the deadly pre-dawn attack on Kultuh Kuki village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday, alleging the involvement of armed cadres of the NSCN-IM (Eastern Flank) along with the Shan National Army (SNA), a Myanmar-based armed group.
In a press release issued today, KOHUR stated that the attack occurred at around 4:00 AM in the border village located along the Indo-Myanmar frontier. According to eyewitnesses and villagers, heavily armed assailants launched an assault on the sleeping civilian population, resulting in the death of two villagers and the destruction of several houses.
The victims were identified as Letminlun Haokip, Head Deacon of Kultuh Church, and Lunminthang Haokip, Youth Chairman of the church. Two other villagers sustained injuries and were evacuated for medical treatment. KOHUR further stated that more than seven houses were completely burnt down, destroying food grains and other belongings of the affected families, forcing residents to flee into nearby jungles for safety.
Describing the incident as a “barbaric” and “unprovoked assault,” the human rights body said the deliberate targeting of civilians, including church leaders, constituted grave violations of the right to life and humanitarian norms. The organisation also termed the alleged involvement of a foreign-based armed group as “external aggression on Indian soil” and a direct threat to India’s territorial sovereignty.
KOHUR said the attack was part of a continuing pattern of violence against Kuki-Zo civilians, citing recent incidents including the killing of Haokhogin Lhouvum on June 9, the killing of three Kuki-Zo pastors at Saheibung Peak on May 13, the burning of Kharam Vaiphei village, and the attack on Loibol Khullen. The organisation alleged that the silence and inaction of authorities had emboldened perpetrators of such attacks.
The organisation placed several demands before the authorities, including the immediate deployment of central security forces to vulnerable border villages in Kamjong district, a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident, and the arrest and prosecution of all those involved. It also called for stricter monitoring and sealing of the Indo-Myanmar border to prevent cross-border movement of armed groups.
Additionally, KOHUR sought immediate relief, compensation and rehabilitation measures for the affected families and displaced villagers. The organisation also urged the Government of India to hold accountable any armed group operating under ceasefire agreements if found complicit in attacks on civilians.
Expressing solidarity with the residents of Kultuh village, KOHUR extended condolences to the bereaved families and called for urgent action to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable border communities.
