Imphal: Suspected militants killed three prominent church leaders and injured four more in an attack on their convoy in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday.
In a separate incident, assailants shot dead a civilian and injured his spouse in Noney district the same evening.
The deadly strike in Kangpokpi occurred early on Wednesday at a location between Kotzim and Kotlen villages, targeting Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) members while they were heading back from a religious congregation in Churachandpur, news agency PTI reported.
The Noney incident took place around 8 pm between Jouzangtek and Nungsai villages.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh denounced the strikes as “senseless acts of violence” against civilians, warning they endanger Manipur’s hard-won calm amid ongoing ethnic strife that erupted in 2023.
Shutdown & Community Outrage
The ambush prompted a complete bandh across Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district. Naga lawmakers’ forum and a key Kuki body voiced strong disapproval, while a Meitei outfit dismissed blame levelled against it as unfounded.
Authorities confirmed militants targeted the two vehicles ferrying the church officials.
Fatalities included Reverend V Sitlhou, ex-general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention, along with Reverend Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen.
Three survivors were admitted to Imphal’s Shija Hospitals and Research Institute for treatment. CM Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, and 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 stated.
“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.
The CM emphasised zero tolerance for terror, declaring, “Stressing that there is no justification in any society for acts of terrorism, the people of the entire state stand together against such an act of terror. Our resolve to fight against terrorism is unshakable.” He called on everyone to p
rioritize peace, exercise restraint, and avoid knee-jerk reactions.
Kangpokpi district witnessed major unrest in January 2025, when a protest rally by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) spiralled into chaos after demonstrators allegedly stormed and attacked the Superintendent of Police’s (SP) office.
“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,” Singh added.
Regional Leaders Decry ‘Senseless’ Attack
Meghalaya and Mizoram chief ministers slammed the assault as a “senseless act of violence,” pressing for prompt accountability. Mizoram’s opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) echoed demands for harsh penalties.
Both states, with large Christian populations in India’s Northeast, rallied behind the victims.
Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma stated in Shillong: “The victims, who were respected members of the Kuki Baptist community and associated with the Manipur Baptist Convention and the Kuki Church Leaders Forum, devoted their lives to spiritual guidance, peace building, and service to humanity.”
He deemed the “brutal and cowardly killing… deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable in any civilised society.”
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma posted on X: “Deeply saddened and anguished by the brutal killing of Kuki Church leaders in Manipur. Such heinous violence is utterly condemnable and unacceptable.”
Groups Demand Justice
The Naga Legislatures Forum, representing nine Manipur Naga MLAs, in a statement said: “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.”
Meitei group Arambai Tenggol refuted involvement, calling accusations “baseless and politically motivated.”
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the tribe’s top body, expressed grief at the loss: “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.”
“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.”
The Zomi Students’ Federation – General Headquarters denounced the church and civilian attacks, enforcing a shutdown in townships from 6 pm until further notice.
Manipur’s Meitei-Kuki conflict since May 2023 has claimed at least 260 lives and uprooted thousands.