Kangpokpi Erupts in Fury; Blame Jiribam Peace Pact Architects for Rape and Murder in Zairawn

An unprecedented wave of fury and grief has swept through Sadar Hills as hundreds of Kuki-Zo women from the Saikul region gathered in Saikul Hill Town, 35 Km. away from Kangpokpi District Headquarters to protest the brutal rape and murder of Zosangkim Hmar, a cherished school teacher and mother of three, in Zairawn village, Jiribam District.

Outrage over this horrific killing has intensified calls for accountability from the Jiribam District Administration and security forces, including the CRPF and Assam Rifles, now accused of betraying their commitment to protect the community.

Organized by the Kuki Women Union Saikul under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, today’s protest in Saikul was a fierce condemnation of the Jiribam administration's and security agencies' alleged hollow promises, sparking intense public outrage over their apparent indifference and neglect.

The protestors chanted slogans, "We Condemned the brutal and charring killing of Zosangkim Hmar", "We Want Justice", "We Demand Union Territory with Legislature", etc.

Speaking to the media, a prominent member of Kuki Women Union Saikul, Ngahpi Chongloi said that we are protesting against the gruesome, heinous crimes-words cannot even describe how horrific and brutal the act was.

She explained that the incident occurred on November 7 in Zairawn village, Jiribam, where Meitei militants allegedly attacked the village. "The villagers were unprepared for such a tragic attack because a peace agreement had been made on August 1 in the presence of central forces. They had no reason to expect that Meitei militants would attack them. As a result, the militants easily attacked, and during this assault, our sister, Zosangkim Hmar, was shot dead."

She continued, "Zosangkim Hmar was not only shot, but she was also brutally burned. The militants raped her; otherwise, they would not have burned her. They wanted to hide all the evidence, which is why they burned her."

She emphasized that this attack on Kuki minority women is not an isolated incident. "This has been happening repeatedly. We always come out to protest, but our voices are not being heard. Are we not Indian enough that our voices have not been heard?" she questioned.

In a direct appeal to the central Government, Ngahpi continued, "We request that the government arrest those who gruesomely murdered a mother. She has left behind three children and was a teacher by profession."

The Kuki Women Union Saikul has also vowed to continue its demonstrations until action is taken.

"We urged the Central Government to take action. We will not be silenced; our cries for justice will continue until our sister ZosangKim Hmar's death is answered with accountability and our people's security is guaranteed", Chongloi asserted.

"Enough is enough. The Jiribam District Administration and the security forces who championed this so-called peace agreement have blood on their hands. They vowed to protect us, yet they stood by as this innocent mother was brutally assaulted and murdered. Their negligence is unforgivable, and we will not remain silent," declared another Kuki-Zo women's leader echoing the crowd's anger.

"This was not just a failure—it was a betrayal. The central government must step in, investigate, and deliver justice. Our mothers and daughters will not continue to suffer because of a failed administration and indifferent security forces," said another protestor with conviction.

The protestors filled Saikul Hill Town with cries of anguish and demands for justice, raising their voices in unison to denounce the Jiribam peace agreement as a “false promise.” They accused the administration and security forces of failing to enact meaningful protections, leaving the community vulnerable to unchecked violence.

Ng. Lun Kipgen, Spokesperson of CoTU recalled the Jiribam Peace Agreement stating that on August 1, 2024, a high-profile peace meeting was held at the Group Centre CRPF in Dayapur, Cachar, Assam, aiming to restore peace between the Meetei and Hmar communities in Jiribam District. Facilitated by top officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Jiribam, DIG CRPF Jiribam, and commandants of the 39 Assam Rifles and 87 Bn CRPF, the meeting concluded with resolutions to prevent violence, ensure cooperation, and coordinate controlled movements. Signed by community leaders and security representatives, the agreement was hailed as a critical step toward peace and stability in the region.

Yet, just three months later, this “commitment to peace” has been exposed as an empty promise, as Zosangkim Hmar’s murder obviously confirmed that temporary peace without structural change is not enough, he added.

He continued that the central government and national media have advocated for peace without directly addressing the Kuki-Zo people’s core demand: a separate Union Territory with legislative powers citing hopes that Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities might co-exist as before. We have maintained and firmly denied any possibility of returning to their prior state of coexistence with the Meitei people, asserting that only a distinct administrative boundary can secure lasting peace and protect their communities. However, our call for a separate administration—which we consider the only solution for lasting peace—has often been met with accusations that we are obstructing peace.

He further said that The tragic aftermath of the Jiribam Peace Pact, culminating in the horrifying rape and murder of an innocent mother of three, has once again proven and serves as a grave reminder that temporary peace accords, without addressing the underlying call for a separate administration, will ultimately result in renewed violence and bloodshed.

In light of the recent tragedy, Ng. Lun Kipgen urged the central government to acknowledge and act on the Kuki-Zo people’s core demand for a separate administration to prevent further bloodshed and build a foundation for true stability.