Leaders from the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur have publicly apologised for the killing of six Naga civilians, expressing hope that the gesture will help ease tensions and bring an end to an ongoing economic blockade affecting their communities.
The apology follows the discovery of the six men's bodies near a Kuki-Zo village on 10 June, an incident that has further intensified unrest in the state, where ethnic violence has continued for more than three years.
Speaking at a press conference in Churachandpur on 25 June, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) chairman Henlianthang Thanglet admitted that members of the community had committed "a great mistake" by killing the Naga civilians. He expressed regret over the incident and urged the authorities to identify and punish those responsible.
The statement marks the first public acknowledgement by Kuki-Zo leaders of the community's involvement in the killings.
A Kuki church leader, who asked not to be named, said the apology was made in the hope of restoring peace between the two predominantly Christian tribal communities.
He also warned that the economic blockade imposed on Kuki-Zo areas has created severe hardship, with shortages of food, medicine and fuel leaving many families dependent on limited supplies delivered by security forces.
However, Naga organisations have rejected the apology, insisting that justice must come before any reconciliation.
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said an apology alone was not enough and called for those responsible for the killings to face legal action. The United Naga Council (UNC) also said the blockade would remain in place until those behind the deaths are brought to justice.
The bodies of the six victims have not yet been buried. Community leaders have reportedly decided to delay funeral arrangements until progress is made in the investigation.
The latest violence is part of a series of retaliatory attacks between Kuki-Zo and Naga groups that began earlier this year. In April, two Naga men were killed in an ambush. Soon afterwards, three Kuki Baptist church leaders lost their lives in a separate attack in Kangpokpi district, with Kuki organisations blaming a Naga armed group.
Further incidents followed, including the abduction of several Naga civilians. While most were released, six were later found dead, prompting Naga groups to impose the economic blockade on Kuki-Zo areas. Naga groups also detained Kuki villagers but later released them, including the final group of captives on 9 June.
Reports indicate that nearly 30 people have been killed during the latest outbreak of violence, while around 45 Kuki villages have been destroyed by fire.
The renewed clashes come against the backdrop of the wider ethnic conflict that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 between the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo community and the mainly Hindu Meitei community.
Since then, more than 260 people have reportedly died, over 60,000 have been displaced and thousands of homes have been destroyed. Christian organisations have also reported the destruction of hundreds of churches and church-related institutions during the unrest.
Some church leaders have alleged that the recent tensions between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities have diverted attention from the continuing violence and persecution experienced by the Kuki-Zo community since the conflict began.
This report is based on information originally published by UCA News and has been rewritten and adapted for publication.
