KOHUR seeks restraint, impartial NIA probe

Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has condemned the United Naga Council (UNC) and Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) for allegedly issuing “misleading” statements over the recent killing of two Tangkhul civilians, and appealed for restraint and an impartial probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
In a statement, KOHUR information and publicity department said the incident, which occurred between two Tangkhul villages on April 17, 2026, was under investigation by the NIA, and alleged that attributing blame to the Kuki community at this stage was “unfounded” and prejudicial.
The organisation termed such statements as irresponsible, stating that they could prejudice the ongoing investigation and inflame communal tensions at a time when restraint was needed. It said premature conclusions and public mobilisation could obstruct due process and aggravate an already sensitive situation.
KOHUR also referred to the March 11 killing of two Kuki men– Thengin Baite and Kamgoumang– and said the Kuki community had exercised restraint in the larger interest of peace and communal harmony. It stated that over 20 civilians were released following the incident, the community accepted the government’s proposal for an NIA probe, and conducted last rites while placing trust in the system.
Contrasting this, KOHUR alleged that calls for a three-day shutdown from April 20 to 23, along with public statements assigning blame, could escalate tensions and provoke confrontation, instead of facilitating justice for the victims.
Appealing for calm, the organisation urged all communities– Naga, Kuki-Zo and others– to refrain from actions that could incite communal discord and to repose faith in institutional mechanisms. It also cautioned against what it termed as attempts by “vested interests” to spread communal hatred.
KOHUR further called on the NIA to conduct a fair, impartial and professional investigation, to identify and arrest the perpetrators without bias at the earliest.
It stated that justice, not blame, should be the priority, and reiterated its willingness to cooperate with constitutional authorities in ensuring accountability.