Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has admitted that members of the Kuki-Zo community killed six abducted Naga civilians during the ongoing Naga-Kuki conflict in Manipur, describing the killings as a “grave mistake” committed out of emotion and issued a public apology.
Addressing a press conference at Churachandpur on Thursday, KZC Chairman Henlienthang Thanglet acknowledged the killings and expressed regret over the incident.
“I admit the Kuki-Zo community made a great mistake in killing the six Naga civilians. It was done out of emotion. I strongly criticise it and apologise on behalf of my people,” Thanglet said.
The admission marks the first public expression of regret by a Kuki civil society leader over the killings and differs from the Kuki Inpi Manipur‘s earlier claim that the abducted Naga civilians had been released.
Thanglet said the killings have damaged the image of the Kuki-Zo community but added that it would be wrong to portray the entire community in the same light. He said tensions had escalated after a drunken brawl in Litan, Ukhrul district, earlier this year, and claimed that 14 Kuki-Zo people were killed and several houses were set on fire during the subsequent violence.
He alleged that Kuki residents in some Naga-dominated areas of Ukhrul district had been denied access to essential commodities and urged the government to ensure the supply of food, medicines, fuel and other basic necessities.
KZC spokesperson Ginza Vualzong called for an impartial investigation into all incidents linked to the conflict, including the killing of the six Naga hostages, the deaths of 14 Kuki civilians and the burning of Kuki villages.
He also sought action against militant groups involved in attacks on civilians and demanded probes into locations suspected of sheltering those responsible for the violence.
The six Naga civilians were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were recovered on June 10 near Kharam Vaiphei village, triggering protests, candlelight vigils and sit-in demonstrations across several districts.
The hostage crisis began after three Thadou church leaders were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi on May 13. While both Naga and Kuki groups abducted civilians following the incident, Naga groups later released all Kuki hostages in their custody. The bodies of the six Naga civilians were recovered a day after the United Naga Council facilitated the release of 14 Kuki hostages on June 9.