Imphal: Hundreds of Kuki-Zo women staged a sit-in protest at the Wall of Remembrance in Churachandpur on Friday, demanding justice for Lenminsang Haokip, who was allegedly killed during a security operation in Manipur’s Henglep Sub-Division on June 16.
The protest, organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), drew women from across the district, who called for an independent investigation into the incident. Leaders of the KWOHR and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) addressed the gathering, expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding Haokip’s death and urging authorities to ensure accountability.
During the demonstration, participants also organised a public donation drive to provide financial assistance to the bereaved family.
As part of their campaign for justice, KWOHR submitted a memorandum addressed to Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur.
In the memorandum, the organisation sought an independent judicial inquiry, preferably headed by a sitting or retired High Court judge, within one week to examine the circumstances leading to Haokip’s death.
The group also demanded the identification of the Central security personnel allegedly involved in the shooting and any subsequent fabrication of evidence, followed by appropriate criminal and departmental action.
Among its other demands, KWOHR urged authorities to preserve all material evidence related to the operation, including seized clothing, forensic records, operational logs, drone footage, body-camera recordings, wireless communication records and other relevant documents. It also sought the immediate release of the post-mortem report to the victim’s family and requested compensation and rehabilitation in accordance with government norms.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Police maintained that Lenminsang Haokip was killed during a joint operation carried out by personnel of the 21 Para Commandos and the 19 Assam Rifles in the Henglep Sub-Division on the afternoon of June 16. According to security officials, four other individuals were injured during the operation.
Security agencies identified the deceased as Lenminsang Haokip, son of Lenkhogin Haokip and a resident of Kolchung village. Officials stated that the operation targeted a suspected hideout of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a militant outfit not covered under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. They claimed an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the site.
However, the official version has been contested by Henglep Assembly constituency BJP MLA Letzamang Haokip, who asserted that the deceased was a civilian and termed the incident unacceptable. The legislator called for a fair and independent judicial inquiry and demanded strict action against those found responsible. He also expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the encounter, even as demands for an impartial probe continue to intensify.