Churachandpur, January 18, 2026: Various Kuki organisations have called for justice following the death of a Kuki woman from Manipur, whose passing is believed to be linked to the trauma she endured after being gang-raped during the early phase of ethnic violence in 2023.

The victim, who was kidnapped in Imphal in May 2023, reportedly suffered a brutal assault by unknown perpetrators. Although she escaped from her attackers, sources say she never fully recovered from the physical and psychological injuries. She died on January 10, 2026, while undergoing treatment in Guwahati, triggering widespread outrage among the Kuki-Zo community.

---

Kuki Organisations Speak Out

Leaders of Kuki groups based in Churachandpur and Delhi condemned the incident, asserting that it underscores the targeted violence against Kuki-Zo people in Manipur. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) stated:

“Her death is yet another painful testimony to the ruthless manner in which the Kuki-Zo people have been targeted.”

The ITLF also organised a candlelight procession in her memory on Saturday evening in Churachandpur, calling for heightened protection and recognition of the community’s rights.

The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Delhi & NCR, echoed these concerns, highlighting that despite repeated appeals by civil society groups, no meaningful action was taken against the perpetrators. The organisation stressed:

“We categorically assert that her death must be officially recognised as resulting from the violence committed against her in 2023. Any attempt to treat it otherwise would amount to a denial of justice and an erasure of responsibility.”

---

Call for Separate Administration

In response to the incident, Kuki organisations reiterated their longstanding demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community, claiming that coexisting with the Meitei community has proven increasingly difficult and unsafe.

“The Kuki-Zo people now have no other option but to demand a separate administration for our safety, dignity, and survival,” the ITLF said. The group urged the central government to expedite the creation of a tribal-specific administration, calling it “both necessary and unavoidable.”

---

The Broader Context of Ethnic Violence

The victim’s death is set against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, which has left at least 260 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023. The violence primarily involves the Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and hills-based Kuki-Zo groups, resulting in widespread displacement and communal tension.

The state has been under President’s Rule since February 2025, reflecting the severity of the unrest and the inability of local governance structures to maintain law and order.

---

Voices of Resilience

A women’s organisation of the Kuki tribe highlighted the victim’s courage, emphasizing that she would be remembered not only for the injustice she endured but also for her resilience in the face of unimaginable brutality.

“For nearly three years, she carried pain that no human being should ever have to bear,” said the Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum, Delhi & NCR, in a statement. They urged continued advocacy for justice and stronger safeguards for vulnerable tribal women.

---

Demand for Justice

The incident has intensified calls for:

• Recognition of the victim’s death as a consequence of targeted violence
• Swift legal action against the perpetrators
• Institutional reforms to protect the Kuki-Zo community, including the potential creation of a separate administration
• Increased support for tribal women and survivors of sexual violence

Kuki organisations have warned that failure to act decisively risks further alienating the community and could exacerbate tensions in the region.

---

The tragic death of the woman, nearly two years after the assault, has become a symbol of the broader struggles of Kuki-Zo people and has reignited demands for justice, accountability, and structural protection in Manipur.