Two Church leaders killed in fresh violence in Manipur’s Kamjong district

Imphal: Two Kuki Baptist Church leaders were killed and two others injured after unidentified armed men attacked a Kuki-inhabited village in Manipur’s Kamjong district in the early hours of Thursday. The killing comes a day after bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered, triggering immediate tension in the roiled state.

Police said the attack took place around 4.30 am when a group of armed miscreants carrying sophisticated firearms, entered Kultuh village and opened indiscriminate fire on residents. The attackers also set several houses ablaze before fleeing.

The deceased have been identified as Letminlun Haokip (35), head deacon, Kuki Baptist Church, Kultuh and Lunminthang Haokip (23), youth chairman of Kultuh Church in the state’s eastern district bordering Myanmar.

Police have registered a suo motu case at Chassad police station but have not identified the perpetrators yet.

The Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association (EKCA) however alleged that the attack was carried out by cadres of Eastern Flank, the Myanmar-based breakaway group of NSCN (IM), and Myanmar’s pro-Junta Shanni National Army (SNA).

“The attackers mercilessly set fire to seven houses, including the village church…EKCA views this attack as a grave violation of human rights and an assault on peace and security of innocent villagers,” the EKCA said in a statement.

The Kuki Baptist Convention (KBC) added that the act of terror was perpetrated against the congregation of KBC Church Kultuh. “The two deceased were esteemed and faithful leaders of the Church,” the KBC said.

Anger over the recovery of the six bodies triggered protests in several Naga-dominated areas. Irate youths vandalised the office of the Naga People’s Front in Senapati district during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, security forces detained eight villagers with arms in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, police said on Thursday.

Police said there were intelligent reports that armed persons were planning to attack isolated villages in hills and accordingly, a joint operation was launched at Horei Kaphung hills (Lower Leishan Ridge) in the district.

“During the operation, approximately 12 armed persons were spotted on top of the hills. While some of them fled, eight persons were detained, disarmed and were let off with a stern warning not to venture into hills or carry weapons since it is prohibited. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and war-like stores were recovered from unauthorised bunkers on the hilltop,” the police said on X.