NIA urged to probe KZC admission
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 26: The Kuki-Zo Council's admission to "Kuki-Zo killing of six Naga civilians" cannot be brushed aside as a mere act driven by “emotion”. "Such an apology is meaningless and does not absolve the perpetrators of heinous crimes," the Thadou Human Rights Advocacy (THRA) has asserted.
Notably, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, in a press meet yesterday, had admitted that the killing of the six Naga civilians by Kuki-Zo was driven by emotion.
In a statement, the THRA said the KZC chairman's statement was "evasive and self-serving", and it must not be taken lightly or brushed aside.
The National Investigation Agency must forthwith examine every word spoken in the June 25 KZC press conference and investigate all individuals and organisations for prior knowledge, participation, assistance, concealment, or obstruction in the case, said the THRA.
The bodies of the six victims including Pastors were recovered, mutilated and dismembered, a barbaric method identical to the brutal murder of Thadou martyr Nehkam Jomhao in August 2025 by Kuki militants. This reveals a chilling pattern of extreme violence, not isolated emotional outbursts, it said.
While investigating the killing of the six Nagas, a broader investigation against leaders of Kuki militants into the brutal murder of Thadou martyr Nehkam Jomhao and the May 13 ambush which killed three Thadou Church leaders must also be launched, it said.
THRA said the cold-blooded ambush and murder of three Thadou Baptist Pastors, Rev Dr V Sitlhou, Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou on May 13 occurred at a KRA/KNO check post between Kotlen and Kotzim villages, both Kuki-dominated areas.
The ambush occurred just days after Rev Dr V Sitlhou firmly refused to dedicate the Kuki-Zo flag on May 9, said the THRA, hinting that Dr V Sitlhou and the two others were killed for advocating Thadou identity.
Meanwhile, the glaring inconsistency between earlier denials by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the current admission by KZC in the case of the killing of six Nagas raises serious suspicions of orchestration, concealment, and obstruction of justice, THRA said.
"Justice cannot be reduced to a press conference spectacle. Selective apologies and victimhood claims will no longer shield those responsible for mutilation, murders and targeted assassinations of peace emissaries. THRA will continue to expose the truth and fight for accountability until justice is delivered in full measure," it said.
The THRA asserted that the NIA must arrest and prosecute all perpetrators, abettors, and protectors without fear or favour.
Further, there must be full disarmament of militant groups operating under any cover and strict enforcement of rule of law, it added.
IMPHAL, Jun 26: The Kuki-Zo Council's admission to "Kuki-Zo killing of six Naga civilians" cannot be brushed aside as a mere act driven by “emotion”. "Such an apology is meaningless and does not absolve the perpetrators of heinous crimes," the Thadou Human Rights Advocacy (THRA) has asserted.
Notably, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, in a press meet yesterday, had admitted that the killing of the six Naga civilians by Kuki-Zo was driven by emotion.
In a statement, the THRA said the KZC chairman's statement was "evasive and self-serving", and it must not be taken lightly or brushed aside.
The National Investigation Agency must forthwith examine every word spoken in the June 25 KZC press conference and investigate all individuals and organisations for prior knowledge, participation, assistance, concealment, or obstruction in the case, said the THRA.
The bodies of the six victims including Pastors were recovered, mutilated and dismembered, a barbaric method identical to the brutal murder of Thadou martyr Nehkam Jomhao in August 2025 by Kuki militants. This reveals a chilling pattern of extreme violence, not isolated emotional outbursts, it said.
While investigating the killing of the six Nagas, a broader investigation against leaders of Kuki militants into the brutal murder of Thadou martyr Nehkam Jomhao and the May 13 ambush which killed three Thadou Church leaders must also be launched, it said.
THRA said the cold-blooded ambush and murder of three Thadou Baptist Pastors, Rev Dr V Sitlhou, Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou on May 13 occurred at a KRA/KNO check post between Kotlen and Kotzim villages, both Kuki-dominated areas.
The ambush occurred just days after Rev Dr V Sitlhou firmly refused to dedicate the Kuki-Zo flag on May 9, said the THRA, hinting that Dr V Sitlhou and the two others were killed for advocating Thadou identity.
Meanwhile, the glaring inconsistency between earlier denials by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the current admission by KZC in the case of the killing of six Nagas raises serious suspicions of orchestration, concealment, and obstruction of justice, THRA said.
"Justice cannot be reduced to a press conference spectacle. Selective apologies and victimhood claims will no longer shield those responsible for mutilation, murders and targeted assassinations of peace emissaries. THRA will continue to expose the truth and fight for accountability until justice is delivered in full measure," it said.
The THRA asserted that the NIA must arrest and prosecute all perpetrators, abettors, and protectors without fear or favour.
Further, there must be full disarmament of militant groups operating under any cover and strict enforcement of rule of law, it added.