Imphal: The Kuki Inpi Manipur, one of the apex bodies of the Kuki community in Manipur, on Wednesday called for a three-day total shutdown across all Kuki-Zo inhabited areas of the state following the killing of three Baptist Church leaders in Kangpokpi district.
Kuki Inpi Manipur Secretary for Information and Publicity Janghaolun Haokip strongly condemned the killings and expressed profound grief over the deaths of Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun, and Pastor Paogoulen, while five others sustained injuries in what the organisation described as a “barbaric attack”.
In a statement, Haokip alleged that the attack was carried out by the ZUF-Kamson faction in collusion with other armed groups.
“Such heinous and inhumane acts committed against Church leaders have deeply wounded the sentiments of the Kuki-Zo people,” the statement said.
Following the incident, Kuki Inpi Manipur convened an emergency meeting and adopted several resolutions as a mark of public mourning, solidarity, and respect for the deceased.
According to the organisation, the shutdown would come into effect from midnight on May 13 and continue until midnight on May 15 in all Kuki-Zo-inhabited areas of the state.
Kuki Inpi Manipur also announced a two-day nationwide mourning by the Kuki-Zo community in honour of the deceased Church leaders.
During the shutdown period, all business establishments, government offices, private institutions, schools, and vehicular movement would remain closed.
However, emergency services, including airport operations, medical facilities, fire and emergency services, and other essential humanitarian services, would remain exempted.
The organisation further announced that candlelight vigils would be organised by churches on Wednesday evening to remember the victims and pray for justice, peace, and healing.
Kuki Inpi Manipur appealed to all Kuki-Zo people, civil society organisations, churches, student bodies, women’s organisations, and concerned citizens to strictly observe the shutdown and mourning programme in solidarity with the victims.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen organisations and individuals, including Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, condemned the killings and demanded stringent punishment for those responsible.
Among those condemning the attack were the Naga Legislature Forum, led by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho; the Kuki Students’ Organisation; the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust; the Kuki-Zo Council; the Kuki Baptist Convention; the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum; and the Evangelical Baptist Convention.
According to a police official in Imphal, unidentified armed men ambushed two vehicles along Tiger Road in the mountainous Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, killing three persons on the spot and injuring four others.
The victims, all belonging to the Kuki community, were travelling in the vehicles when unidentified armed cadres opened fire on them.
The Kuki Students’ Organisation stated that all the victims were Baptist Church leaders from the Kuki community.
(IANS)
