Manipur: Three Kuki church leaders killed, four injured in militant ambush

Imphal: Three leaders associated with a Kuki church were killed and four others injured in an ambush allegedly carried out by suspected militants in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday (May 13), police said.

According to officials, the incident took place between Kotzim and Kotlen villages when members of the Thadou Baptist Association were returning from Churachandpur.

Among those killed was Reverend V. Sitlhou, former general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention.

Following the killings, Thadou organisations announced a “total shutdown” in the Sadar Hills region of Kangpokpi district.

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) condemned the ambush and alleged that the attack was carried out jointly by the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) along with the Zeliangrong United Front.

The organisation stated that those killed were part of a peace initiative and had recently participated in organising a consultative meeting in Nagaland under the aegis of the Nagaland Christian Forum.

Since February this year, several violent incidents have been reported in parts of Manipur, especially in Ukhrul district, involving clashes between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities. Multiple deaths and incidents of arson have been reported during the unres