Manipur: Kuki bodies reject poppy video link, accuse Naga groups of targeting community

Guwahati: Kuki civil society organisations in Manipur’s Ukhrul and Kamjong districts have rejected allegations linking a Kuki leader to poppy cultivation and accused Naga organisations of targeting the community amid escalating tensions following rallies in the two districts.

The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations, Ukhrul (WCKCSOs-Ukhrul), on November 5 denied that the woman seen in a video allegedly showing poppy cultivation was Mercy Khongsai, Vice President (Administration) of KSO-Ukhrul and Media and Security In-Charge of WCKCSOs-Ukhrul.

In a statement, the committee described the identification as a “deliberate or reckless misattribution”. It said the video originated from Tangkhul Naga Herald and was subsequently circulated by Behind the Truth, Koubru, Meitei Heritage Society, Khuraijam Athouba and others. It also named Poknapham among the media outlets that carried the content.

Questioning how the allegation gained circulation without verification, the committee asked: “How does an unverified allegation acquire such cross-platform traction without the most elementary factual scrutiny?”

It also referred to a social media post by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, saying that although the post did not expressly name Khongsai, it “warrants particular scrutiny”.

The committee said Khongsai had worked in education, community welfare and alternative livelihoods, and advocated peaceful coexistence among communities. It added that she had also promoted the replacement of poppy cultivation with sustainable cash crops.

Referring to what it described as an earlier attempt by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) to malign Khongsai through a press release, the committee said KSO-Ukhrul had initiated legal proceedings against those responsible for the alleged false identification and its circulation. It demanded the immediate correction or removal of the publications and a public clarification.

In a separate statement issued on November 6, the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Kamjong District, condemned the protest rally organised by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the TNL in Kamjong and Ukhrul on November 5.

The committee objected to a slogan directed at the Commanding Officer of 11 Assam Rifles, saying it hurt the Kuki community. It also rejected the rally’s allegation that Col. Vivek Tripathi, CO 11AR, had a nexus with KNA-B.

The committee claimed there was no KNA-B presence in Kuki areas of Kamjong district and said the allegation could not be accepted without factual evidence.

It, in turn, accused the Tangkhul community of harbouring NSCN-IM, Eastern Flank and SNA cadres, alleging that these groups had disturbed Kuki communities using live grenades and foreign-made weapons.

It further claimed that the rally had been indirectly propagated under the direction of NSCN-IM, with the UNC and TNL being used as a “human shield”. The committee did not provide evidence to substantiate these allegations.

Stating that the Indian Army had a duty to protect citizens, particularly Kukis in Kamjong, the committee said Kukis constituted only 8-9 per cent of the district’s population, as per the 2011 Census, and had faced suppression by the Tangkhul community for decades. It called for the Tangkhul community to be closely monitored by the authorities.

The statements came a day after thousands of Tangkhul Nagas took to the streets in Ukhrul and Kamjong, demanding the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Naga areas and urgent intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the continuing crisis in Manipur.

The rallies, organised by the TNL and other Tangkhul frontal organisations under the aegis of the UNC, called for a lasting political solution, an end to what the organisers described as a “proxy war”, and protection of Naga ancestral territories.

The protesters also demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, action against armed groups, security along national highways and an end to militarisation. Other demands raised by sections of the gathering included action against alleged illegal immigration, measures to address the concerns of Kuki refugees and the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.

The mobilisation followed reports of firing on passenger vehicles near TM Kasom along the Imphal–Ukhrul highway on November 4. The incident heightened concerns over civilian safety and freedom of movement, prompting community representatives to demand secure and uninterrupted access along the highways.

Addressing the media, TNL president Sword Vashum urged the Centre to take the community’s concerns seriously. Social activist Ngachonmi Chamroy called for political will and a lasting settlement, arguing that the crisis could not be treated merely as a law-and-order issue.

The demonstrations culminated in the submission of a memorandum to Prime Minister Modi, with copies sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other authorities. The simultaneous rallies brought together community organisations, women, youth and elders.

According to a report by NENow, the Tangkhul organisations had opted to hold independent demonstrations rather than join protest groups from the valley.

In the memorandum, five Tangkhul Naga organisations described the Manipur crisis as a “historical problem of illegal Kuki immigration and hill-valley disparity” and called for a permanent political solution.

Among their 11 demands, the signatories sought revocation of the SoO agreements and the disarming and arrest of all cadres covered by them. They also demanded the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from all Naga areas and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister.

The organisations called for KNF(P), KNA/KNO and their affiliated SoO groups to be declared terrorist organisations. They also demanded an end to what they described as the militarisation of Naga areas and the use of Kuki militants in “proxy warfare” against communities in Manipur, particularly the Nagas.

The memorandum sought the identification and deportation of Kuki refugees and people it described as illegal immigrants from Myanmar. The signatories rejected any separate homeland, administrative arrangement or territorial council for the Kukis that would affect Naga ancestral territories. They also called for the relocation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Naga-inhabited areas.

Other demands included the cancellation of chieftainship Touzis, village or settlement pattas and permits issued to Kuki immigrants, which the signatories alleged had been granted illegally, as well as the eviction of unauthorised settlements in accordance with law.

The memorandum also named HNA, ZDV, UKRA, USRA, KNF(Z), UTLA, KNF(MC), ZRF, KLA(KNO), KNA(KLO), KRA, KRA(U), UMLA, PRA, KNLF, UKLF and HPC(D), seeking that they be declared terrorist organisations.

The signatories traced the latest escalation to an assault on a Naga civilian by Kuki individuals on February 7, 2026. They alleged that more than 23 Tangkhul Naga houses were burnt in Litan the following day and claimed that killings, abductions, arson and firing targeting Naga civilians had continued since then.

The memorandum accused armed groups, including KNF(P) and KNA/KNO cadres covered by the SoO agreement and their affiliates, of involvement in the attacks. These remain allegations made by the signatories.

Questioning compliance with the SoO ground rules, the organisations cited a report published by The Sangai Express on October 22, 2026. According to the report, only 18 cadres were found during a verification exercise at Sinai camp that began on October 20. The memorandum, however, claimed that 140 to 150 KNA and KLA cadres were supposed to be staying there.

The signatories further claimed that more than 32 Naga civilians had been killed. They cited the recovery of the bodies of six abducted Liangmei Nagas on June 10, 2026, alleging that the victims had been tortured and killed.

The memorandum also referred to the killing of Ajinbou Ringkangmai on IT Road in Kangpokpi on October 10, 2026, alleging that he had been beheaded. It said the victim’s body remained in the mortuary.

The organisations alleged that the main accused had not been arrested. They also referred to a press conference by the chairman of the Kuki-Zo Council on June 25, 2026, which they claimed amounted to an admission of involvement.

The memorandum blamed what it described as historical demographic changes, refugee movements and illegal immigration from Myanmar for the conflict. It also accused the Union government of failing to check the alleged influx. These claims represent the signatories’ position and have not been independently established.

The memorandum was signed by Sword Vashum, president of Tangkhul Naga Long; Kashung Tennyson, president of Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long; Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, president of Tangkhul Shanao Long; Ramreichan Keishing, president of Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong; and Ringphapam Kasar, president of Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.

The rival statements and competing allegations have added to tensions between the communities, with both sides raising concerns over security, armed groups and the protection of their people and territories.