Imphal: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), representing the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur’s Sadar Hills in Kangpokpi district, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state and central governments, demanding the arrest of those responsible for the burning of K. Songlung (II) village.
In its statement, CoTU warned that failure to act would compel the community to take pre-emptive measures, including a total shutdown of AH-2 and NH-37 from midnight of January 27 to midnight of January 28, 2026, without further notice.
The statement comes in the wake of claims by the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), led by S. Kamson, which openly took responsibility for the torching of homes belonging to the Kuki-Zo community in Kangpokpi district on January 26. CoTU clarified that K. Songlung (II) is a recognised Kuki village under K. Geljang sub-division, PS New Keithelmanbi, and strongly denied allegations by the ZUF that villagers were involved in poppy cultivation.
Condemning the attack, CoTU accused the government of inaction, warning that such silence could amount to tacit collusion with armed groups operating with impunity. “The time for token condemnations is over,” the statement said, urging authorities to take immediate and decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and dismantle the ZUF network responsible for terrorising innocent civilians.
The attack has also drawn condemnation from various Kuki-Zo organisations, including the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA) and the Kuki Autonomous People’s Development Council (KAPDC), under the aegis of Kuki Inpi South West, Sadar Hills Unit-II. These groups criticised the militants for misusing the anti-poppy narrative to justify forcibly blindfolding village elders and destroying civilian property.
The CoTU and allied organisations have stressed that accountability and swift action are essential to restore peace and prevent further escalation in the sensitive Sadar Hills region.