Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), an armed organisation operating in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland with its council headquarters at Dilung in Tamenglong district, has criticised the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), two prominent Kuki-Zo civil bodies in the state.
In a statement, the ZUF urged all stakeholders to act with restraint, avoid inflammatory narratives, and prioritise truth and accountability over unverified allegations. It said lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through factual accuracy, mutual respect and responsible conduct.
The remarks came after KIM and CoTU recently accused the ZUF of involvement in the killing of three individuals and the burning of seven houses and two vehicles in Kangpokpi district. The ZUF, however, strongly rejected these claims, terming them baseless, irresponsible and lacking any credible evidence.
According to the organisation, the allegations appear to be an attempt to link it to incidents arising from internal disputes within Kuki communities. It said issuing accusations without proper investigation or verification undermines communal harmony and risks escalating tensions between neighbouring communities.
The ZUF further cautioned civil society groups against continuing what it described as a pattern of misinformation and blame-shifting, warning that it would not tolerate attempts to damage its reputation or falsely implicate it in unrelated incidents. It stressed that any such claims must be backed by verifiable facts.
Reiterating its position, the organisation asserted that the rights, dignity, ancestral land and historical interests of the Zeliangrong people are non-negotiable.
It also warned that any attempt to undermine or encroach upon these interests whether through misinformation, intimidation or political maneuvering would be firmly resisted through lawful means. The group added that continued provocation could lead to serious consequences, without leaving room for further restraint.