Shutdown in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi after ambush kills 3 Kuki-Zo church leaders ::: NNPG Kitovi group calls it "extremely barbaric and wicked act"

Three innocent and unarmed Kuki Church leaders were killed in an ambush on May 13 in Manipur while returning from a convention.  

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the apex Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on Wednesday condemned the killing of church leaders in Manipur in the ambush.

Rio described the incident as a "brutal" and "senseless" act of violence, stating that such attacks on innocent lives were unacceptable and had no place in any civilised society. Expressing sorrow over the incident, the chief minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, the church community, and the people of Manipur. He also prayed for strength and comfort for those affected by the tragedy.

The NBCC termed the incident a "heinous act" and an "attack on the faith community".

A particular faction is being suspected for the killings and is now being regarded as one of the most 'unpopular moves' by the particular group. 

In social media and in informed circles in Delhi, the unfortunate incident has been described as 'handiwork' of the particular group.

"The terror spread by this terrorist group has been felt by the Kuki community for a long time now," a social media post said. 

 

The NNPG working committee - which favours early solution and end of the ongoing peace talks has also condemned the incident. 

"The extremely barbaric and wicked act will go down as the most undignified deed done against the church leaders who are propagators of peace in the region," it said. 

"..... This evil act is unfathomable and goes against the very core principle  of communal harmony and peaceful co-existence," the NNPG headed by N Kitovi Zhimomi said. 

The Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K) has firmly denied any involvement in the deadly ambush that resulted in multiple civilian deaths today in Kangpokpi District, Manipur. This denial comes in response to accusations from various groups, including the Kuki Inpi Manipur, linking the group to the attack, reports 'Ukhrul Times'. 

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has urged Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand to defer his proposed visit to Kuki-Zo populated areas until conditions become demonstrably “conducive”.

The chief minister is slated to visit Churachandpur district, a Kuki-Zo populated district, on May 15.

Shutdown in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi after ambush kills 3 Kuki-Zo church leaders  

Several Kuki-Zo organisations on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of three church leaders belonging to the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA), describing the incident as a “heinous ambush and brutal killing”.  

The incident triggered widespread outrage across Manipur’s hill districts, with an indefinite shutdown called in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts from 12:30 pm following the deaths of Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. V. Kaigoulun and Pastor Paogoulen. 

 Condemning the incident, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) described the assault as a “cowardly and barbaric ambush” targeting Kuki-Zo church leaders and civilians. 

“Kuki Inpi questions the intent and timing behind such a heinous and cowardly attack at a moment when sincere peace initiatives and dialogue were being encouraged by church leaders and civil society organisations to foster understanding and restore harmony between communities,” the organisation said in a statement. 

KIM demanded a thorough investigation into the incident by the Government of India and urged authorities to identify and arrest those responsible. 

“It is therefore urgent that the Government of India immediately initiate a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice,” the statement added.

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