Kangpokpi/Imphal, Jan 27, 2026: The apex civil bodies of Manipur’s Kuki and Naga communities - the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) - on Tuesday jointly condemned the burning of houses at K. Songlung (Part-II) village in Kangpokpi district, describing the incident as a serious threat to peace and communal harmony.
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Representatives of Kuki and Naga civil bodies hold a joint peace meeting at the Kangpokpi district headquarters following the K. Songlung arson incident. |
The condemnation followed a joint peace meeting held at the Kangpokpi district headquarters after the arson attack that occurred on Republic Day. The incident, allegedly carried out by the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF–Kamson) group, led to loss of property, displacement of villagers and widespread fear among residents.
The UNC delegation was led by its president Ng. Lorho, while the KIM team was headed by its president Ch. Ajang Khongsai. After day-long deliberations, the two bodies issued a joint press statement unequivocally condemning the January 26 incident, noting that the attack took place in broad daylight and raised serious concerns over law and order and the safety of villages amid the ongoing unrest in Manipur.
KIM and UNC appealed to the general public and all stakeholders to maintain peace and exercise restraint, urging communities to refrain from any form of retaliatory violence. They also cautioned against the spread of rumours and false propaganda, particularly on social media, warning that misinformation could further escalate tensions between communities.
Expressing solidarity with the affected families, the two apex bodies underscored the need for immediate relief and justice for those impacted. The statement reiterated that violence against civilians is unacceptable and called for collective efforts to uphold peace and communal harmony.
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Meanwhile, several Kuki organisations also condemned the attack. The Committee on Tribal Unity issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government to apprehend the perpetrators, warning of a “total shutdown” of two national highways if action is not taken. The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC) termed the alleged involvement of ZUF (K) and NSCN-IM as a direct challenge to the Kuki community, cautioning that “playing with fire is dangerous.”
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13 last year, and the situation remains tense as communities and organisations continue to call for restraint and dialogue. Observers view the joint stand taken by KIM and UNC as a constructive step, underscoring the importance of dialogue, accountability and responsible governance in restoring normalcy.
