Kuki apex body lays charter of demands
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, May 14 2026: In an outpouring of grief, thousands of Kuki-Zo people from across Sadar Hills on Thursday converged at Brig M Thomas Ground in Kangpokpi district headquarters to mourn the brutal killing of three prominent Church leaders in a deadly ambush on the Kangpokpi-Churachandpur road.

On the first day of a two-day Nationwide mourning declared by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the Kuki apex body laid down a charter of demands before Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi, seeking urgent intervention, justice, and decisive protection for the community.

The mortal remains of Rev Dr V Sitlhou, Rev Kaigoulen Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou were brought from the District Hospital following post-mortem examinations.

KIM president Ch Ajang Khongsai, Thadou Inpi General Headquarters president Chongpu Kipgen, Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association president Haokholen Kipgen, representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council, Kuki-Zo Christian Forum secretary Dr Satkai Chongloi, alongside other prominent leaders, paid their highest tribute by ceremonially wrapping traditional shawls around each coffin.

Following the condolence program, the mortal remains of the three Church leaders were taken to their respective homes for an overnight period of condolence and mourning.

Tomorrow, the mortal remains of the three Church leaders will be brought to the TBA-I Church Campus at Motbung for the final burial ceremony.

Against the emotionally charged mourning service, KIM submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister with five demands.

The charter of demands include - immediate high-level NIA probe into the ambush and prosecution of all perpetrators and conspirators; permanent security guarantees for Kuki-Zo civilians, Church leaders, civil society members, and vulnerable villages; establishment of special security zones in conflict-prone areas to prevent further attacks and blockades; official recognition by the Government of India of the "repeated persecution and victimisation of the Kuki-Zo people" and expedited political engagement with Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups to address what it termed the "root causes of insecurity and ethnic persecution" .

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