Attackers ambush church leaders in Manipur killing 3

Unidentified attackers targeted the vehicles of church leaders and killed three leaders while they were travelling from Churachandpur to Kangpokpi in Manipur on Wednesday morning.

Kuki community organisations identified the deceased as Reverend V Sitlhou, Reverend Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen, all associated with the Thadou Baptist Association. They were reportedly returning to Kangpokpi after attending a meeting of church leaders in Churachandpur.

Police said the attack occurred between Kotjim and Kotlen in Kangpokpi district while the group was travelling in two vehicles. A security official indicated that militant groups were suspected to be behind the attack, though the matter remains under investigation, Indian Express reported.

The incident comes amid the continuing ethnic conflict between Manipur’s Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has persisted for three years. It also follows growing tensions between the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga groups that began in February in the Ukhrul district and have intensified since then.

One of those killed, Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, had earlier served as the General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention. According to Thangtinlen Haokip of the Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity, Sitlhou had recently helped initiate reconciliation talks between Kuki and Naga communities in Kohima amid rising tensions.

In a statement, Kuki Inpi Manipur said that Christian leaders from both communities had recently discussed peaceful coexistence, restraint and dialogue as the only way forward. The organisation described it as deeply tragic that someone committed to peace and reconciliation had become the victim of what it called a calculated act of violence.

The organisation also alleged the involvement of the armed Naga group Zeliangrong United Front in the attack. It claimed that the ambush on unarmed church leaders and civilians represented an attack on the spirit of peace itself and questioned the timing of the violence when peace-building initiatives were being encouraged by church leaders and civil society groups.

While the Manipur government had not officially responded to the incident at the time of reporting, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio strongly condemned the killings. He described the attack as barbaric violence against innocent people and said such acts had no place in a civilised society. Rio also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the church community.