Imphal, June 27: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has clarified that its chairman’s recent apology over the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur was not intended to imply that the Kuki-Zo community was responsible for the crime, stating that the remarks were made purely as a humanitarian gesture.
In a statement issued on June 26, the council said comments made by its chairman, Henlienthang Thanglet, had been misinterpreted by some as an admission of collective responsibility. It emphasised that the apology was offered only out of compassion, humanity and moral responsibility to express sympathy for the bereaved families.
The clarification follows a press conference held in Churachandpur on June 25, during which Thanglet apologised on behalf of the Kuki-Zo people for the killing of the six Naga civilians, describing the incident as a “grave mistake” and condemning the violence.
The victims had been abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on May 13. Their bodies were recovered on June 10 near a Kuki-Zo village, one day after the release of 14 Kuki individuals who had been abducted in Senapati district.
The KZC maintained that no political, social or community organisation representing the Kuki-Zo people had authorised or supported the killings. It said the identity of those responsible remains unknown and called for a fair, impartial and credible investigation to establish accountability.
The council further urged investigators to examine all incidents linked to the ongoing ethnic conflict, including the killing of Kuki-Zo civilians, attacks on churches, destruction of villages and the murder of religious leaders. It stated that lasting peace would not be possible through selective justice or selective security measures.
The clarification has drawn differing responses. The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) rejected the apology, describing it as unacceptable and expressing strong resentment over the killing of the six hostages.
Meanwhile, the Zomi Students’ Federation General Headquarters distanced itself from the Kuki-Zo Council, stating that it neither recognises nor endorses the organisation or its activities. The federation also objected to the council’s claim of representing multiple communities, including the Zomis.
Manipur has remained affected by ethnic violence since May 2023, with clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities resulting in more than 260 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people.
