Imphal, May 14: The Kuki Inpi Manipur, a prominent organization within the Kuki community, has announced a complete three-day shutdown across Kuki-majority areas in Manipur. This decision follows the tragic murders of three Baptist church leaders in Kangpokpi district.
Janghaolan Haokip, the organization’s information and publicity secretary, condemned the killings and expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigaulan, and Pastor Paogoulen. Five others were injured in what the organization termed a “barbaric attack.”
In a statement, Haokip alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the ZUF-Kamsan faction in collaboration with other armed groups.
“The heinous and inhumane acts against church leaders have deeply hurt the sentiments of the Kuki-Zo people,” the statement read.
Following the incident, the Kuki Inpi Manipur convened an emergency meeting, passing several resolutions as symbols of public mourning, solidarity, and respect for the deceased.
The shutdown will take effect from midnight on May 13 and will continue until midnight on May 15 across all Kuki-majority regions in the state. Additionally, the organization announced a two-day nationwide mourning period in honor of the deceased church leaders.
During the shutdown, all commercial establishments, government offices, private institutions, schools, and vehicle movements will be suspended. However, emergency services, including airport operations, medical facilities, firefighting, and other essential humanitarian services, will be exempt from the shutdown.
The organization also announced that candlelight marches will be held on Wednesday evening by churches to remember the victims and pray for justice, peace, and healing.
Kuki Inpi Manipur urged all Kuki-Zo people, civil society organizations, churches, student bodies, women’s organizations, and concerned citizens to strictly adhere to the shutdown and mourning activities in solidarity with the victims.
Meanwhile, over a dozen organizations and individuals, including Manipur’s Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, have condemned the murders and demanded severe punishment for those responsible.
Among those denouncing the attack are the Naga Legislative Assembly Forum led by Deputy Chief Minister Loci Dikho, the Kuki Student Organization, the Kuki Human Rights Trust, the Kuki-Zo Council, the Kuki Baptist Convention, and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, along with the Evangelical Baptist Convention.
According to a police officer in Imphal, unidentified armed assailants ambushed two vehicles on Tiger Road in the hilly Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, resulting in the immediate deaths of three individuals and injuries to four others.
The victims, all from the Kuki community, were traveling in those vehicles when they were shot at by the unknown assailants. The Kuki Students Organization reported that all victims were leaders of the Kuki community’s Baptist church.
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S.C.H.
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