Imphal, May 13: Three church leaders were killed and four others injured in an attack by suspected militants in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, police said.
The incident happened at a place between Kotzim and Kotlen villages when members of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) were returning from Churachandpur after attending a religious congregation.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the incident, stating that such “senseless acts of violence” against innocent civilians threaten peace in Manipur which has been rocked by ethnic violence since 2023.
Following the killings, a total shutdown was imposed in Kangpokpi district where Kukis are in the majority.
A forum of Naga legislators and a Kuki organisation also deplored the killings, while a Meitei group rejected allegations from some quarters that it was behind the ambush.
Police said suspected militants ambushed the two vehicles in which the church leaders were travelling.
Among those killed was Reverend V Sitlhou, a former general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention. The other two deceased were identified as Reverend Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen, they said.
The chief minister said three of those injured were admitted to the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal.
He, along with Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, visited the injured in the hospital.
“The state government will bear all medical expenses for the injured, and I have directed the authorities to ensure they receive the highest standard of care,” Singh said in a statement.
“This act of violence is deeply troubling and devastating not only for the families but for the entire state, as it disrupts our path to peace. Our state is gradually moving towards peace; therefore, actions that undermine this collective effort of our people to restore normalcy are unacceptable,” he said.
Stressing that there is no justification in any society for acts of terrorism, the CM said the people of the entire state stand together against such an act of terror.
“Our resolve to fight against terrorism is unshakable,” he said and appealed to all sections of society to uphold peace, show restraint and refrain from emotional responses.
“Further, I urged people to immediately stop abductions, taking hostages, and intimidation on community lines. This can only aggravate the situation. I assure the people that we will use every resource of the state to bring the perpetrators and their handlers to justice,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Naga Legislatures Forum, consisting of nine MLAs from the Naga community in the state, said in a statement, “This act of cold-blooded murder of an unarmed and peace-loving religious leader is unacceptable, and we urge the law enforcement agencies to trace and book the culprits at the earliest.”
The leaders also demanded the safe release of all civilians, both Kuki and Nagas, who have been detained.
The appeal came after suspected militants allegedly detained several civilians belonging to the Naga community from the vicinity of Leilon Veiphei in Kangpokpi District.
Following the killings, a total shutdown was imposed in Kangpokpi district, with angry locals forcing the closure of markets and movement of vehicles along the NH 2.
Meitei organisation Arambai Tenggol denied any role in the ambush.
In a statement, it termed the accusations of its involvement as “baseless and politically motivated.”
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribe in the state, also condemned the incident.
“Rev V Sitlhou is a respected Church leader and peacemaker who had only recently led the peace mission alongside the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) in Kohima to foster peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding between the Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul communities,” it said. (PTI)
