Kuki Inpi Manipur Appeals for Truth and Human Decency Amid False Allegations
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) strongly condemns what it describes as a coordinated disinformation campaign on social media falsely alleging Kuki involvement in the killing of three Thadou Baptist Association pastors. The organisation rejects these claims as baseless and argues that they ignore established kinship and social ties within the Kuki community. KIM states that the deceased pastors were deeply connected through family and marriage networks, making such allegations implausible. The statement calls for restraint, truth, and respect for human dignity, urging individuals, media platforms, and political actors to refrain from spreading unverified narratives and to allow grieving families to mourn without further distress.
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) strongly condemns the ongoing social media disinformation campaign, including narratives amplified by Khuraijam Athouba and affiliated Meitei elements, falsely alleging that Kukis themselves were responsible for the ambush and killing of three pastors of the Thadou Baptist Association.
KIM states that such propaganda collapses under basic scrutiny of Kuki social and kinship structures. It notes that Rev. Vumthang Sitlhou was the son of Pastor Pakho Sitlhou and Mrs. Namgakliu, a Rongmei Naga mother, and was married to Mrs. Lalkhokim (Kimcha) Khongsai of Chalkot village near Sapormeina. The organisation emphasizes that through blood relations, marriage ties, and Nulam kinship obligations, the family was deeply interconnected within Kuki society.
According to KIM, the claim that Kukis would target their own pastor, husband, father, and in-law within such closely connected kinship networks is baseless and reflects a lack of understanding of Kuki customary and social structures.
The organisation appeals to all individuals, organisations, media platforms, and political actors to exercise truth, restraint, and human decency during this period of mourning. It stresses that the families of the deceased pastors deserve dignity and peace while performing last rites, free from malicious propaganda and communal insinuations.
KIM further states that the circulation of inflammatory and unverified allegations only serves to deepen tensions, dishonour the memory of the deceased, and obstruct the pursuit of truth and justice. It calls upon all concerned to cease exploiting the tragedy for political or communal purposes and to allow the bereaved families and the community to grieve in peace.
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