The Kuki CSO Working Committee in Ukhrul has strongly condemned the brutal killing of two Kuki men, Thenkhogin Baite and Thangboimang Lunkim, whose bodies were discovered on March 12. The victims were found blindfolded and with their hands tied, indicating severe assault before their execution. A joint team of local villagers and Border Security Force personnel retrieved the bodies early on March 12, with subsequent transfer to Imphal for an autopsy later that evening. The committee criticized authorities for their inadequate search efforts when the men were reported missing, labeling the explanation regarding the victims’ lack of mobile phones as an “unacceptable lapse.”
Describing the murders as a “horrific crime,” the committee has vowed to maintain agitation until justice is served, specifically stating that the victims’ bodies will not be claimed until the perpetrators are brought to justice and face capital punishment. The committee has demanded that the investigation be conducted by either the Saikul or Kangpokpi Police due to a loss of faith in the Ukhrul Police and has called for a transparent investigation to be handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Additionally, the committee has urged the Central government to take prompt action, similar to the urgency demonstrated in the recent rescue of 21 Tangkhul travelers. Concerns for the safety of Kuki residents in Ukhrul have escalated, leading to demands for the relocation of Kuki villages to Kangpokpi for their protection. As part of their protests, the committee has announced a shutdown along the Imphal-Ukhurl Road, reiterating that their agitation will persist until their demands are met and justice is achieved.
