Hundreds of members of the Kuki community staged a protest rally across Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, demanding the immediate release of three community leaders arrested in connection with the July 11 Leimakhong incident and alleging selective action by security forces against Kuki civil society leaders.
The demonstration, organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), began at Nute Kailhang in Kangpokpi town and culminated at Brig. M. Thomas Ground along National Highway-2. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans calling for the unconditional release of the detained leaders, opposing what they described as selective justice, and demanding action over the alleged disruption in the supply of essential commodities to the district.
A memorandum submitted to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen sought the release of retired IDES officer and Hengjang village chief K. Lhouvum, along with Ngamboi Haokip and Pagin Hangshing, who were arrested on July 11. The organisation alleged that the arrests followed public protests triggered by shortages of food, medicines and other essential supplies in Kangpokpi.
CoTU spokesperson Ng Lun claimed that residents of the district had been facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis due to the alleged blockade of essential commodities. He also criticised the reported July 12 search conducted by CRPF CoBRA personnel at the residence of Bongphajol village chief Douminlal Haokip, alleging that it was carried out without a search warrant or the presence of local police. CoTU urged the government to ensure that future security operations strictly follow due legal procedures.
Copies of the memorandum were also submitted to the Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur and the Director General of Police. The protest concluded peacefully under heavy security deployment.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Christian Leaders’ Forum (KCLF) strongly condemned the killing of Haokholal Singsit, Secretary of Govajang Baptist Church and Treasurer of the Men’s Society under Kuki Baptist Convention Parish No. 6, who was shot dead while working in a paddy field with his wife in Govajang village on July 11.
The Forum described the killing as a brutal attack and alleged that it was the ninth killing of an innocent Kuki civilian by armed Naga groups since the death of three members of a Kuki peace mission on May 13. It urged the Manipur government, the Centre and security agencies to take immediate steps to prevent further violence and protect civilians.
In a separate declaration, KCLF appealed to Christian communities across Manipur and the Northeast to reject ethnic divisions and work towards dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace. It acknowledged the heavy human and social cost of the conflict since May 2023, noting that more than 300 churches had been destroyed during the violence.
Calling forgiveness a cornerstone of Christian faith, the Forum urged churches to reject violence, distance themselves from armed groups, and promote justice, peaceful coexistence and meaningful dialogue to bring an end to the prolonged conflict.
