Kuki-Zo Group Says Chief's Remarks Did Not Implicate Community In Naga Killings

The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) has clarified that remarks made by its chairman, Henlienthang Thanglet, expressing regret over the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur were not intended to suggest that the Kuki-Zo community as a whole was responsible for the crime. The clarification came a day after Thanglet publicly apologised for the killings, prompting strong reactions from Naga organisations and sections of the Kuki-Zo community.

In a statement issued on Friday, the KZC said portions of the chairman's remarks had been "misconstrued as an admission of responsibility by the Kuki-Zo community." The organisation stressed that Thanglet's apology was offered solely in the spirit of humanity, compassion and moral responsibility, and should not be interpreted as assigning collective guilt to the community. It said the statement was intended to express sympathy for the victims' families and condemn the violence rather than acknowledge community-wide involvement.

The controversy stems from a press conference held in Churachandpur, where Thanglet said, "I admit the Kuki-Zo people made a grave mistake in killing the six Naga civilians. It was done out of emotion. I strongly condemn it. I am very sorry and apologise on behalf of my people." His remarks followed the recovery of the bodies of six Naga civilians, who had been abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were found on June 10 near a Kuki-Zo village, a day after 14 Kuki individuals abducted in Senapati district nearly a month earlier were released.

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The clarification has done little to quell the controversy. An influential Naga students' organisation expressed strong indignation over the chairman's apology, questioning its implications and the circumstances surrounding the killings. At the same time, a Zomi students' organisation reportedly distanced itself from the chairman's remarks, underscoring the differing perspectives within communities in Manipur amid the prolonged ethnic tensions.

The killings have further strained already fragile relations between Naga and Kuki-Zo groups in the state, where ethnic violence has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands since clashes erupted in 2023. Incidents of abduction, targeted attacks and retaliatory violence have continued despite repeated appeals for peace and efforts by security forces to restore normalcy in affected districts.

The Kuki Zo Council reiterated that its chairman's statement should be viewed as an expression of compassion rather than an admission of collective culpability. As investigations into the killings continue, community leaders and civil society organisations have called for accountability, justice for the victims and renewed dialogue to ease tensions and prevent further violence in the conflict-hit state.

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