Imphal, Jan 27: Two Kuki-Zo umbrella organisations on January 27 warned the Zeliangrong United Front’s Kamson faction that it would be held responsible for any escalation of violence following the burning of a Kuki-Zo village in Manipur.
In a joint statement, the United People’s Front and the Kuki National Organisation condemned the arson at K Songlung village, describing it as a criminal act against civilians. They said the incident was not an isolated offence and warned that any deterioration in the security situation would be attributable to the ZUF (Kamson faction).
The organisations said attacks on villages deepened mistrust and undermined already fragile peace efforts. They rejected attempts to justify violence, including claims linked to alleged poppy cultivation, asserting that arson, intimidation and collective punishment could not be defended under any circumstances.
The statement said accountability for any fallout from the incident would rest with those responsible for the alleged attack and cautioned that targeting civilians risked widening the conflict at a time of heightened tension in Manipur.
