National Investigation Agency Takes Over Manipur Church Leader Killings Probe

Imphal: The National Investigation Agency officially took control of the case on Wednesday. The move follows the May 13 ambush that left three church leaders dead in Kangpokpi district. The victims were members of the Thadou Baptist Association.

Armed attackers opened fire at Zero Point while the victims traveled back from a religious gathering in Churachandpur. The gunfire killed three members of the Kuki community instantly. Four other people suffered bullet wounds in the attack. The Manipur Police originally registered the case, but the Union Home Ministry stepped in to shift the investigation to federal authorities.

The ministry cited the severity of the ambush and the potential for a larger conspiracy as primary reasons for the change. The government order stated that the incident involved an "ambush by armed miscreants intended to cause loss of life and property and create fear and terror among civilians."

This bloodshed marks another grim chapter in the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Violence in the state has dragged on since May 2023. At least 260 people have died and thousands remain displaced. Officials are now working to determine who pulled the trigger.