Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: The Kuki Christian Leaders Forum condemned the murder of Haokholal Singsit. Singsit served as the secretary of Govajang Baptist Church. He also held the post of treasurer for the Men's Society under Kuki Baptist Convention Parish No. 6. He died on July 11. Assailants shot him at 4 pm while he worked in a paddy field with his wife in Kangpokpi district.
The Forum blamed Manipur Naga armed groups for the attack. They allege this marks the ninth killing of a Kuki civilian since May 13. That day, gunmen killed three members of a Kuki peace mission. The victims included Rev. V. Sitlhou, Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou, and Rev. Kaigoulun Lhouvum. Six other civilians died before that incident.
The Forum stated that violence carried out "in the name of Christ" was a distortion of the Gospel and fundamentally opposed to Christian teachings on peace, justice, reconciliation and respect for human life. They urged the Manipur government and federal agencies to stop the systematic killing of civilians. The group acknowledged that over 300 churches have been destroyed since the conflict began on May 3, 2023.
The Forum expressed grief for the six Naga civilians killed during the conflict. They called on church leaders across the Northeast to reject ethnic divisions. They asked all parties to embrace dialogue and lasting peace. The group insisted that churches must distance themselves from armed factions. They must stop supporting exclusive territorial claims to prevent further trauma and poverty.
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