Police officials and local organisations reported that at least three were said to be killed and several injured in what is believed to be a militants’ ambush in Kangpokpi district on Wednesday.
The attack reportedly was carried out between Kotzim and Kotlen as a group of church leaders were coming back from Churachandpur, where they had participated in a conference organized by the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA). They were trying to get to the scene with two vehicles at the time of the incident.
According to the statements made by organisations from the Kuki community, one of the killed was V. Sitlhou, who was a senior leader in the TBA and a former general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention. At the report date the identities of the other victims had not yet been officially established.
Several additional passengers also were injured in the attack, though police did not immediately have a count of how many people were injured or how many individuals suffered wounds. There were reports of the region being secured by forces shortly after the attack took place and investigations are ongoing.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust has expressed its condemnation and called for the perpetrators of the attack to be held accountable for the incident. It also demanded the provision of compensation to the families of the victims, rehab support and long-term assistance to them.
The ladsdjed of the Kuki body put the blame at the door of pro-Zeliangrong United Front members and members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), but the security agencies did not confirm the allegation.