Three senior Christian priests were killed and several others injured after armed militants ambushed two vehicles in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, intensifying tensions in the violence-hit northeastern state.
According to community sources, the victims were returning from a church conference in Churachandpur and were travelling towards Kangpokpi when unidentified gunmen opened fire between Kotzim and Kotlen areas. Security forces have launched a large-scale search operation to trace those responsible for the attack.
Senior Church Leaders Among Those Killed
The deceased were identified as Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen, all associated with the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA). Community members said the priests were involved in inter-community peace and reconciliation efforts between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga groups.
The delegation reportedly included leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association and the United Baptist Council. Eight people were travelling in the two vehicles during the ambush. One person escaped without injuries, while others sustained serious wounds and were shifted for treatment.
Rights Group Calls Attack ‘Pre-Planned’
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) strongly condemned the killings and described the attack as a “pre-planned” attempt to derail ongoing peace initiatives in the region.
In a statement, KOHUR alleged that cadres linked to NSCN-IM and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) were involved in the assault. The organisation claimed the slain church leaders had recently participated in reconciliation meetings held in Nagaland aimed at reducing tensions between communities.
However, both NSCN-IM and ZUF denied involvement in the attack.
Shutdowns Announced After Killings
Following the killings, several Kuki organisations announced shutdowns in protest. The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) called for an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district, while Thadou organisations blocked the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2.
Visuals from different parts of the district showed markets shut and roads deserted as protests spread across Kuki-majority areas.
Manipur CM Calls It ‘An Act of Terror’
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand condemned the killings and termed the ambush “an act of terror.”
After visiting the injured at a hospital in Imphal along with senior ministers and officials, the chief minister said the state government would bear all medical expenses of the injured victims.
“I assure the people that we will use every state resource to bring the perpetrators and their handlers to justice,” he said.
Violence Continues Across Manipur
The attack comes amid continuing ethnic violence in Manipur, where tensions between different communities have led to repeated incidents of killings, arson and armed clashes over the past months.
In another incident on Wednesday evening, one man belonging to the Chiru Naga community was killed and two others injured after militants attacked a vehicle in Noney district.
