Amid rising tensions in Manipur, the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) has categorically denied any involvement in the recent attack on civilians at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, calling the allegations “baseless” and an attempt to misattribute blame.
In a clarification issued on April 8, the group stated that it does not condone violence against innocent civilians “under any circumstances,” particularly children. The statement emphasized that its objective remains a political solution within the framework of the Constitution of India.
The UKNA further claimed that it has been actively safeguarding buffer zones to prevent escalation of communal tensions and maintain fragile peace in the region. It also asserted that restraint shown during recent provocations demonstrates that Kuki groups were not complicit in the incident.
The group also dismissed media reports suggesting that three of its members had been arrested in connection with the attack, terming such claims “entirely baseless and false.” It urged the media to act responsibly and avoid linking the organisation to incidents without verification.
Additionally, the UKNA acknowledged the role of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in defusing tensions and preventing further escalation.
In a separate statement, the United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) strongly condemned the incident, in which two children were killed and their mother seriously injured in a bomb explosion at Tronglaobi on April 7.
The organisations urged the media to refrain from attributing blame to any particular community without verified information, warning that such reporting could worsen tensions in an already volatile environment.
UPF and KNO expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and called for restraint and responsible reporting.
The twin statements come at a time when Manipur continues to witness fragile peace amid ethnic tensions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation and ensure stability in sensitive areas.
