Three people were killed and several others injured in an ambush by suspected militants between Cosim and Kotlin in Kangpokpi district of Manipur on Wednesday, police said.
Kuki Associations said the victims were members of the Thado Baptist Association (TBA). They said that among them was V. Sitlho, the TBA leader, was a former general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Conference.
The church leaders were returning in two cars to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur after attending a TBA conference in Churachandpur when they were ambushed.
A number of others were also injured. The number of dead and wounded has not yet been confirmed at the time of preparing this report.
In a statement, Kuki Human Rights Organization (COHOR), Kuki’s body, called for action to be taken against those involved in the ambush and for adequate compensation in the form of ex-gratia, rehabilitation and lifelong support to the bereaved families of church leaders and drivers.
The Kuki body blamed the ZUF and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isaac Muivah (NSCN-IM) faction for the ambush.
Organizations affiliated with the Thado community also condemned the ambush targeting church leaders and imposed a complete and indefinite closure along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway No. 2 with immediate effect.
