Ukhrul: The Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul has strongly condemned the brutal killing of two Kuki men whose bodies were discovered on Thursday morning, describing the incident as a barbaric and inhumane crime that has deeply shaken the Kuki community in the region.
In a press statement issued on March 12, the committee identified the deceased as Thenkhogin Baite (42), son of Late Sempao Baite from Thowai Kuki Village in Kamjong district, and Thangboimang Khongsai (35), son of Kaipao from Shangkai Village in Ukhrul district.
According to the statement, the bodies of the two men were found blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs. The victims reportedly bore signs of severe assault with sharp objects before being shot dead, indicating a brutal execution-style killing.
The bodies were discovered at around 8:30 AM on March 12, 2026 by a joint search team of villagers from Shangkai and Thowai, accompanied by personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF).
The Kuki CSO Working Committee expressed serious concern over what it described as the lack of urgency shown by district authorities and security forces in locating the missing individuals. The statement alleged that while authorities appeared to prioritise the safety and comfort of 21 Tangkhul travellers earlier, little serious effort was made to locate the two missing Kuki men. Authorities reportedly cited the absence of mobile phones as a reason they could not be tracked.
In response to the incident, the committee placed six demands before the authorities and warned that agitation would continue until justice is delivered.
The committee stated that the bodies of the deceased would not be claimed by their families until the perpetrators are identified, arrested and awarded the death penalty. It also demanded that the case be registered and investigated by Saikul or Kangpokpi Police, stating that the community has no trust in the Ukhrul Police.
The organisation further demanded that the investigation be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure transparency and impartiality in the probe.
The committee also urged the central government to take proactive and decisive steps to expedite justice, stating that the same urgency and commitment demonstrated by the Chief Minister of Manipur in facilitating the swift extraction of 21 Tangkhul travellers should be shown in ensuring justice for the murdered Kuki men.
It further stated that the Kuki community, which previously felt secure coexisting with the Tangkhul Christian community, now feels endangered. As a result, the committee demanded the relocation of all Kuki villages in Ukhrul district to Kangpokpi district to ensure the safety and protection of the people.
The committee also announced that until these demands are met, the community will enforce a total shutdown along the Imphal–Ukhrul Road.
