Kuki Inpi Manipur has alleged presence of over 50 AT members at Sikibung in Ukhrul district, operating in coordination with Tangkhul militant elements. Both Arambai Tenggol and Roudei Village Authority have categorically denied the claims, calling them fabricated and designed to inflame tension
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) issued a statement on Saturday expressing serious concern over what it described as a coordinated Meetei-Tangkhul militant build-up in Ukhrul district. KIM stated it has received confirmed inputs regarding the presence of over 50 Arambai Tenggol (AT) members stationed at Sikibung in Ukhrul district, allegedly operating in coordination with Tangkhul militant elements — which it characterised as a structured and coordinated militant deployment.
The organisation further alleged that multiple locations in Ukhrul district are currently being used as bases for joint militant activity, specifically naming Sareikhong, TM Kasom, Leingangching, Sikibung, and Thoyee. It also alleged that an unauthorised NSCN-led Tangkhul militant camp continues to operate within this network without visible enforcement action, which KIM termed a serious lapse in law and order. The organisation said that the convergence of militant elements across these locations, in the absence of effective containment measures, reflects a deteriorating security environment in the district.
Coordinated Meitei–Tangkhul Militant Build-Up Threatens Kuki-Zo Civilians
— Mighty Warrior Kuki (@Kamginthan40473) April 25, 2026
*04/KIM/PR/25-11:* Kuki Inpi expresses serious concern over confirmed inputs regarding the presence of over 50 Meitei Arambai Tenggol militants stationed at Sikibung, Ukhrul Dist., operating in… pic.twitter.com/8OzfmSRPzu
In one of the most serious allegations in its statement, Kuki Inpi Manipur claimed that a senior police officer in Manipur compromised operational integrity by sharing sensitive information regarding vulnerable Kuki villages with external elements, allegedly facilitating targeted attacks against those communities. KIM stated that such conduct, if established, would amount to a serious breach of official responsibility. The organisation urged the Government of India to initiate an independent inquiry into the alleged intelligence breach alongside other urgent security measures.
KIM called on the Government of India to take immediate steps to dismantle militant camps across the identified locations, remove armed concentrations, ensure adequate security for vulnerable civilian populations, and conduct a thorough independent inquiry into the alleged intelligence compromise.
Arambai Tenggol (AT) swiftly rejected Kuki Inpi Manipur's allegations, issuing a press statement calling the claims wild and unfounded. The organisation categorically denied reports that over 50 of its members were stationed at Sikibung in coordination with Tangkhul Naga groups. It asserted that the prevailing ground situation makes such claims implausible, pointing to restrictions on movement through certain areas that have been in place since the onset of the 2023 conflict. The group maintained that it has no operational presence in Ukhrul district as alleged and stated that the claims were entirely fabricated.
Referring to past incidents, the AT statement mentioned that during the Siroi Festival 2025, some volunteers had unfurled a Salai Taret flag at Siroi Peak, which had drawn objections from sections of the Tangkhul Naga community — a context it offered to illustrate the complexity of movement and community relations in the district. AT alleged that the accusations were part of a broader attempt to spread misinformation, create fear, and destabilise the state, accusing those behind the narrative of seeking to evade accountability while influencing public perception. It called for responsible dissemination of information and warned that spreading unverified allegations in a sensitive situation could aggravate tensions and undermine efforts to restore normalcy. The statement concluded by asserting that propaganda cannot alter facts and that truth and accountability must prevail.
Roudei (TM Kasom) Village Authority issued a strongly worded rebuttal to allegations made by both Kuki Inpi Manipur and the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, terming the claims baseless, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to portray the village in a negative light and incite communal tension. The village authority stated that since the beginning of the conflict, the village has been fully guarded by its own volunteers, and that there is no presence of any external forces or militant groups. It urged organisations to verify facts on the ground rather than relying on hearsay or unverified sources.
Directly refuting claims of Arambai Tenggol presence in Tangkhul villages in the Litan area, the village authority stated that such assertions are fabricated, noting that movement into the area has been restricted since May 3, 2023, and that Meetei people have not entered the area since the onset of the conflict. The authority also denied the existence of any Naga Army camp in the vicinity, calling such claims evidence-free. In a counter-allegation, the village body claimed that a Kuki militant camp — identified as Mount Sinai camp — exists in the nearby area and is known to security forces.
The authority further alleged that Kuki militants were responsible for the attack on the police convoy from Chingai Police Station on April 24, at the location on NH-202 where two Tangkhul civilians were killed on April 18, and urged security forces to act against those responsible. It also alleged that Kuki groups have been blocking NH-202, controlling access along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Calling for restraint, the village authority appealed to all sides to avoid spreading rumours and unfounded accusations that could escalate tensions, emphasising the urgent need to maintain peace and prevent further violence in the region.
