Cold blooded murder evokes widespread condemnation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2026: Many civil society organisations have vehemently condemned the cold blooded murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta s/o M Tombi of Kakching Khunou Uchal Makhong, Kakching district by suspected Kuki terrorists at Natjang, Churachandpur.

Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office this afternoon, COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren condemned the brutal murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta in the strongest terms and urged the Government of India to stop Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists from killing and intimidating indigenous people.

With Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists given a free hand and impunity to kill people at will, the presence of the Government of India has been rendered meaningless, Dhiren said.

Cold blooded murder evokes widespread condemnation

New Delhi's attitude which appeared to be supporting the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists instead of containing their criminal activities has given rise to a strong suspicion that the Government of India has been plotting to wipe out Meitei and other indigenous communities, he said.

Saying that the Government of India's indifference is too much, the COCOMI convenor asked the 60,000 strong Central armed forces to leave Manipur if they are not in a position to protect innocent people.

He also appealed to all indigenous communities to be always on guard from the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists.

A joint statement issued by AMUCO, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, Committee on Human Rights (COHR), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMWOVA) and MSF said that the cold blooded murder was a deliberate act of some miscreants aimed at sparking a fresh round of communal violence.

The brutal murder was driven by an intention to incite the two communities to target and kill each other at the slightest opportunity, it said.

Instead of falling prey to this plot of inciting fresh rounds of communal violence, all must join hands and exert pressure on the Government to see that all the culprits are awarded befitting punishment at the earliest, they said.

They said that the cold blooded murder of an innocent civilian is a grievous crime not only against the particular individual but also against the entire humanity.

Expressing strong suspicion if there is a larger conspiracy behind the cold blooded murder of Rishikanta at a time when all sections of the society have been working hard to bring a solution to the protracted crisis, the CSOs questioned how long the Government of India will remain mute and blind to such criminal activities.

The five organisations then urged the Government to contain the criminal activities of the miscreants and bring a solution to the protracted crisis.

The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) too has condemned the abduction and the cold blooded murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta (tribal name Ginminthang), fiance of Mrs Chingnu Haokip, by armed Kuki terrorists from Tuibong in the evening of January 21, 2026 .

The barbaric and premeditated attack occurred despite a significant presence of security forces and prior approval from the militant group, Kuki National Organisation (SoO group operating in the area) and Tuibong district headquarters authorities for Rishikanta's visit, highlighting the reckless lawlessness and brutal extremism that continue to threaten the region, TIM said in a press release.

It said that the particular incident exposes the ever-present danger of Kuki radicalism, terrorism and violent extremism which jeopardizes the lives of innocent citizens and undermines the fragile peace and security of Manipur.

It is not merely an attack on an individual but a direct assault on justice, public safety and communal harmony, TIM said.

TIM has also demanded immediate and decisive action from the authorities, a thorough investigation, swift identification and arrest of the perpetrators and strict punishment under law.

The Government must also take urgent preventive measures to safeguard law-abiding citizens and prevent recurrence of such terrorist acts, it said.

Expressing solidarity with the victim's family, TIM has called upon all communities to unite against terrorism, extremism and radical violence, upholding the values of justice, peace and communal harmony.

Strongly condemning the brutal murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta, the Federation of Civil Societies (FOCS) Manipur has urged the Government to hand over the murder case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and deliver justice at the earliest.

A press release issued by FOCS said that there are certain elements bent on sabotaging every initiative aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the State.

It asserted that Central forces deployed in the State as well as State forces need to discharge their duties effectively with complete neutrality.

The Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL), Manipur has also condemned the brutal murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta in the strongest terms, saying that the cold blooded murder has shattered the fragile peace.

While Meiteis have been restraining themselves in the hope for peace, Kukis have killed many innocent Meiteis and many others have been forced to disappear without any trace, said a press release issued by KKL .

The Government of India and the PR administration must not remain silent to the killing of innocent civilians but take strong actions, it said.

KKL said that Meiteis will not remain silent if the Government fails to take decisive action promptly.

The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) which is said to be behind the cold blooded murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta must be declared a terrorist organisation and all the perpetrators must be arrested, KKL urged the Government.

It also questioned how the terrorists managed to abduct and kill Rishikanta in cold blood despite the presence of a large number of Central security forces in the area.

The Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation (JNGVO), Kakching too has strongly condemned the barbaric act of Rishikanta's murder by Kuki militants.

The JNGVO has also pledged unstinted support to whatever decision taken by the JAC formed in connection with the murder of Rishikanta.

It has also questioned the inaction of Central security forces against Kuki militants even after the latter have committed all kinds of unlawful and criminal acts.

The National People's Women Front (NPWF) has decried that the cold blooded murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta is a grave violation of human rights and an attack on the values of peace, justice and dignity.

The loss of an innocent life in such a cruel manner is unacceptable and deserves the strongest condemnation, said a press release issued by NPWF.

Sharing solidarity with the bereaved family, NPWF has urged the Government and authorities concerned to ensure that no perpetrator is shielded and justice is delivered without delay.

Joining the outcry against the brutal murder of Mayanglambam Rishikanta, CPI(M), Manipur State Committee has called upon the authorities to take immediate and decisive measures to restore law and order and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents and further loss of lives in Manipur.

The Left party has also demanded that the responsible persons who are entrusted for law and order in the State should be demoted for their failures in securing intelligence and security reports.

Conveying grief and solidarity to the bereaved family, CPI(M), Manipur State Committee has appealed to all communities in Manipur to unite for justice, peace and communal harmony.

Thongju AC MLA Thongam Biswajit has strongly condemned the "savage, inhuman and cowardly" killing of Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh in Churachandpur.

He termed the incident a chilling indictment of the depths of brutality to which the killers have sunk.

The release of a video with the slogan "no peace, no popular Government" lays bare the real conspiracy, he said.

This murder was staged as a message to terrorise the people, paralyse the State, provoke communal hatred, and overthrow democracy through fear and bloodshed.

"Let there be no ambiguity: this is a direct challenge to the authority of the Constitution and the sovereignty of the Indian State", said the MLA .

Th Biswajit also extended heartfelt condolences for the family of the victim.

The cruel irony that Rishikanta was a Meitei and his wife belongs to the Kuki community exposes the utter hollowness of the killers' narrative.

At this testing time, he has appealed the people of Manipur, especially the Kuki and Meitei brothers and sisters, to not allow grief to turn into rage, or pain to turn into hatred.

He also demanded swift, relentless, and uncompromising action by the security agencies to identify, pursue, and eliminate the entire chain behind this murder, from the gunman to the masterminds.