Manipur Tense After Killing of Church Leaders, Civilian; Hostage Crisis Unfolds

Manipur remained tense on Thursday following the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district and a Chiru Naga civilian in Noney district the previous day. These incidents triggered a wave of abductions and bandhs that paralysed life in the hill districts.

Manipur Police stated that the three church leaders were killed in “unprovoked firing by unidentified gunmen.” Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam informed the media that more than 38 people from Naga and Kuki-Zo communities were being held hostage by rival groups at different locations. Of these, 23 individuals were abducted from Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district, with most being Kuki-Zos.

By Thursday evening, two Kuki-Zos, including an 18-year-old girl and a 40-year-old ailing man, along with a Meitei civilian, were released and handed over to Senapati police by the Naga Village Guard.

In Konsakhul village of Kangpokpi district, Naga women staged a protest, claiming at least 18 individuals from Naga and other communities were being held hostage by suspected militants. The Konsakhul Village Authority alleged that villagers were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei on Wednesday morning.

Konthoujam mentioned that discussions were underway with civil society groups and political leaders to secure the release of hostages. “We have apprised the Union home ministry, and efforts are underway. We suspect that some people don’t want peace to return to Manipur,” he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, hours after the three church leaders were gunned down and four others injured in Kangpokpi, a Chiru Naga, Wilson Thanga, was gunned down and his wife wounded in Noney district. Konthoujam visited the bereaved family in Noney along with three Naga legislators.

During the day, life was paralysed across Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Chandel districts as shutdowns called by both Kuki-Zo and Naga organisations brought the hill areas to a standstill. The protests followed the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi and a Chiru Naga civilian in Noney. Markets remained deserted, public transport stayed off the roads, and schools reported thin attendance.

In Kangpokpi, the Kuki Inpi Manipur enforced a 48-hour bandh beginning Thursday midnight against the killing of three Thadou church leaders near Kotlen village. Protesters blocked the vital Imphal-Dimapur route, disrupting the movement of goods and passenger vehicles.

In Churachandpur, roads were empty and businesses shuttered. In Chandel, the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation enforced a separate bandh following the killing of Wilson Thanga.

Political reactions sharpened as Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president and former CM Okram Ibobi Singh alleged that repeated violent incidents point to a complete collapse of law and order in the state. He cited the ambush near Kotlen–Kotzim villages in Kangpokpi, where three church leaders were killed and four sustained injuries, and another attack in Noney that left one dead and two wounded.

“These incidents show the failure of both the state and central govts to control the situation,” Ibobi said, accusing the Centre of remaining silent while civilians face insecurity. He questioned why central forces are deployed mainly for election duties while violence continues unchecked.