IT Road killings : Condemnations pour in
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 28 2026: Several organisations have condemned the attack 'carried out by Kuki militants' along the Imphal-Tamei Road in Kangpokpi district yesterday, in which four Naga civilians were killed.

The organisations that have condemned the attack include the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMA- WOVA), Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibee Apunba Manipur (PLMPAM), Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipur Students' Federation (MSF), Zeliang-rong Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), Liangmai-Imphal Market Committee (LIMC), People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA) and All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) .

Development can wait, says COCOMI

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), in a press note, alleged that the ambush was carried out by Chin-Kuki narco terrorists.

The immediate priority of the people is not the implementation of developmental projects, but the restoration of normalcy, COCOMI said and urged the Government to take necessary measures to ensure peace and security in the State.

Condemning the attack, COCOMI said the repeated incidents of violence in the hill districts reflected the Government's failure to rein in Chin-Kuki narco terrorists.

Different organisations have been stating that a lasting solution to the Manipur crisis cannot be achieved unless armed groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact and those outside the SoO framework are brought under control, it said and claimed that the Government, however, has been adopting a piecemeal approach to the crisis.

It further alleged that the Government's failure to enforce law and order in the hill districts amounted to indirectly supporting the Chin-Kuki narco terrorists.

Enough is enough, asserts LIMC

The Liangmai-Imphal Market Committee (LIMC) also expressed its deep anguish over the killing of four persons along the IT Road.

In a press release, the Committee said that 'armed Kuki terrorists', allegedly belonging to KNF (P), KNF, KRA carried out the attack between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga, an area that constitutes a vital lifeline for Naga communities residing along IT Road.

It demanded immediate and impartial counter-terrorism operations against those who planned, commanded, facilitated and executed the assault.

The Committee also urged the Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the reported involvement of the KNF (P), KNF and KRA, including the alleged command responsibility attributed to Jangboi Kipgen, Home Secretary of KNF/UPF .

Moreover, the LIMC demanded immediate and effective security measures along the Imphal-Tamei Road to ensure the safety of Naga civilians and their freedom of movement.

Saying that the targeting of civilians travelling through this corridor is not merely an act of violence but also a grave assault on the fundamental right to life, freedom of movement and dignity of ordinary citizens, the Committee condemned the 'barbaric assault' on civilians.

Cowardly act : NPP

The National People's Party (NPP), Manipur also condemned the "cowardly act of violence" which resulted in the tragic deaths of four innocent Naga civilians including an educator, village leaders and youth representatives and left others critically injured.

It urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Government to launch a swift, uncompromising operation to identify, arrest and prosecute every individual and armed groups involved in the massacre.

The NPP also called upon civil society organisations and the public to exercise utmost restraint and refuse to let acts of violence, undermine the pursuit of justice and peace in the region.

Stop senseless violence : Five organisations

Five organisations viz AMUCO, AMAWOVA, PLMPAM, COHR and MSF called upon the people of Manipur to stand united against forces seeking to keep Manipur in a state of perpetual unrest.

In a joint statement, these organisations also appealed to the people to promote peaceful coexistence by setting aside their differences and forgiving past mistakes.

It also urged the Government to arrest and penalise the armed militants responsible for the attack and take adequate security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

ZU condemns brutal ambush

The Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) also condemned the ambush 'carried out by Kuki militants' that killed four Liangmai Naga civilians.

ZU, in a press statement, adding that the repeated attacks on Liangmai Naga civilians are a matter of grave concern and demonstrate the urgent need for effective protection of Naga lives and properties.

The Union urged the Centre, Government of Manipur and security agencies to immediately identify , arrest and prosecute all persons involved in the heinous attack.

There must be no impunity for those who murder innocent civilians, it asserted.

PUYA questions security forces

The People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA) also alleged that the ambush was carried out by Kuki armed groups and questioned how the "Kuki terrorists" were repeatedly able to target civilians despite the deployment of a vast number of Central and State security forces in the State.

It also questioned the purpose of deploying a large number of Central forces in the State if civilians continued to remain unsafe. Condemning the IT Road ambush, PUYA also urged the Government to abrogate the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact signed with the Kuki armed groups and take action against them.

"Penalise Kuki terrorists"

The All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM), meanwhile, urged the Government to ensure that cadres of SoO groups remain in their designated camps and take strict action against Kuki armed groups operating outside the SoO framework.

It said the repeated attacks on Naga civilians by Kuki armed groups also reflected lapses in the enforcement of the SoO ground rules by the authorities responsible for monitoring them.

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