The Kuki CSO Working Committee has alleged that Mongkot Chepu village, located in the Litan-Sareikhong belt of Manipur’s Ukhrul district, came under a “strategic and unprovoked attack” on May 21. The committee also accused certain groups of spreading “weaponised misinformation” through AI-generated content following the incident.
In a statement, the committee claimed that armed assailants allegedly linked to the NSCN Eastern Flank launched a coordinated attack on the village at around 2:05 PM, disrupting nearly a week of relative calm in the area.
According to the committee, the attack triggered hours of intense gunfire, during which village volunteers allegedly retaliated in self-defence. The exchange of fire reportedly continued until around 5:30 PM.
The Working Committee further alleged that the attackers used high-grade weapons, including heavy ammunition and lethal explosives, which it described as evidence of a “deeply organised escalation” in the conflict-prone region.
The statement also expressed concern over alleged unauthorised drone activity over Mongkot Chepu on May 19 and 20. The committee claimed the drone movements were traced to Sikibung, also known as Sharkaphung village, and alleged that the surveillance operations indicated possible coordination ahead of the attack.
In addition, the committee accused certain groups of circulating AI-generated images on social media that falsely depicted Sikibung village as being attacked by armed Kuki militants.
Describing the alleged misinformation campaign as “deeply irresponsible and dangerously misleading,” the committee said fabricated visuals and narratives were being used to distort facts and inflame tensions in parts of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
The Kuki body warned that any further circulation of “false propaganda” portraying Kuki villagers as militants without evidence could invite legal action, including defamation proceedings.
