United Naga Council Denies Involvement in Thadou Church Leader Killings

Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) has officially rejected allegations linking Naga organizations to the May 13 ambush and killing of three Thadou church leaders in Manipur. In a statement issued on May 18, the council condemned the violence, describing the deceased as dedicated peace advocates, and expressed its full support for legal proceedings against the perpetrators.

The UNC raised significant questions regarding the claims made by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), which had accused the ZUF-Kamson Group and NSCN-IM of orchestrating the attack shortly after it occurred. The council pointed out that the condemnation letter released by KIM was dated May 6, 2026, a full week before the incident took place, leading the UNC to question whether the accusations were premeditated. They have demanded that KIM provide concrete evidence to substantiate these claims.

Highlighting the complex security situation, the UNC argued that the ambush occurred in an area dominated by Kuki militants, where the infiltration of non-Kuki armed groups is effectively impossible. The council suggested the killings may have an internal character within the Kuki fold and noted that one of the victims, Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou, had recently voiced opposition to the Kuki Zo flag. Furthermore, the council mentioned that the Kuki Liberation Army had previously issued warnings against meetings with the state chief minister, suggesting the leaders may have been targeted due to these political tensions.

The UNC also criticized the performance of security forces, asserting that the 57 Mountain Division headquarters was nearby and could have intervened more effectively. They characterized the current security deployment in Naga regions as inadequate and discriminatory. Moving forward, the organization has called on the Centre and state government to strictly enforce the Suspension of Operations agreement, urging the authorities to disarm militants and ensure they remain within designated camps to prevent further violence.