Kakching, 22 January: Demanding justice for the killing of Mayanglambam Rishikanta (32) of Makhong Leikai, Kakching Khunou Uchan—who was allegedly abducted from Tuibong by armed Kuki militants, taken to the Natjang area near Henglep Police Station, and brutally murdered by being shot in the head—the public today blocked the Indo–Burma–Sugnu Road at Kakching Khunou Lamkhai.
In connection with the road blockade organised today on the Indo–Burma–Sugnu Road to press for justice for the victim, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) stated that if the demands submitted to the government are not fulfilled within 72 hours, more intense forms of protest will be launched jointly with various civil society organisations (CSOs) across Manipur.
This was stated by JAC Convenor Kh. Pradeep.
Regarding the killing, residents of Kakching Khunou carried out a dawn-to-dusk bandh today by blocking the Indo–Burma Road at Kakching Khunou Lamkhai. Although emergency services and essential vehicles were allowed to pass, the public expressed strong resentment over the incident. To prevent any untoward incidents during the protest, Kakching District SP Priyadarshini Laishram personally visited the area, met residents and JAC members, and the district police also deployed additional security and conducted checks.
Speaking to the media, JAC Convenor Kh. Pradeep said that the demands submitted by the JAC through a press release include: immediate arrest of Chingnu Haokip of Tuibong, Churachandpur, who is suspected to be involved in the murder of Rishikanta; identification and arrest of the Kuki armed militants allegedly responsible for the killing; handing over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough probe; action against the Churachandpur SP and the central forces for failing to take timely steps that could have prevented the crime; and launching combing operations against Kuki militants.
He added that if these demands are not implemented within 72 hours, protests will be intensified in collaboration with CSOs across Manipur. A memorandum containing these demands will also be submitted to the Governor of Manipur through the Deputy Commissioner, Kakching.
On the killing, the victim’s father, Mayanglambam Tombi, said that his younger son was a very gentle and soft-spoken person who never used abusive language. He expressed deep anguish that such an innocent son was brutally murdered in such a manner. He said Rishikanta had been working in a company in Nepal; however, he resigned from his job on December 17, 2025, and returned home. After returning to India, he travelled via Mizoram to Churachandpur, where he met Chingnu Haokip—whom he had known earlier—and stayed with him at Tuibong. On the night of January 22, at around 2 am, Chingnu Haokip informed him over the phone that Rishikanta had been taken away by unknown persons. He added that even his four to five years’ salary had not reached home, and appealed to the government to ensure a proper investigation and bring out the truth behind the murder.
Regarding the incident, organisations such as COCOMI, FOCS, AMUCO, Apunba Manipur gi Ema, TAKDAL, and several other women’s organisations participated in and supported the ongoing protests organised by the JAC.
Sugnu Assembly Constituency MLA K. Ranjit also visited the protest site, met the family members and JAC representatives, and expressed solidarity. Later, while speaking to the media, he stated that President’s Rule is in force and the AFSPA, 1958, is applicable, yet armed Kuki groups are freely moving with weapons and carrying out abductions and killings. He questioned whether there are separate laws for the hills and the valley, and whether the actions of Kuki groups amount to a proxy war against the Meitei community being allowed by the Government of India.
According to information received at the time of filing this report, after the post-mortem conducted in Churachandpur, the mortal remains are to be handed over to Kakching District Police and kept at the JNIMS mortuary until they are handed over to the family. In connection with the case, an FIR has also been registered at Waikhong Police Station.
