IMPHAL: Gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons killed two Kuki Baptist Church functionaries, wounded two others and torched a church and several houses in a Kuki village in Manipur’s Kamjong district before dawn Thursday. The attack is feared to be linked to mounting tensions after mutilated bodies of six Naga men held hostage since May were found.
Police said the attackers entered Kultuh village around 4.30am and opened fire on residents before the arson attack. A suo motu case has been registered; the attackers have not been identified.
Those killed were identified as Letminlun Haokip, 35, head deacon of Kuki Baptist Church, and Lunminthang Haokip, 23, youth chairman of the church, which borders Myanmar.
Myanmar-based faction behind attack: Kuki outfit
Violence followed a spiralling cycle of abductions and killings that began on May 13, hours after three members of Thadou Baptist Association India were gunned down in an ambush in Kangpokpi district. More than 50 people from rival communities were abducted that day. Most were released on May 14, but six Naga men and 14 Kukis remained captive.
Naga groups released 14 Kuki hostages on June 9, expecting a reciprocal move. Tensions exploded after bodies of six Naga captives, including 2 pastors, were found Wednesday.
Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association (EKCA) alleged cadres of Eastern Flank, a Myanmar-based breakaway faction of NSCN (IM), and Myanmar’s pro-junta Shanni National Army carried out Thursday’s attack. “Attackers mercilessly set fire to seven houses, including the village church… EKCA views this attack as a grave violation of human rights,” the association said.
Kuki Baptist Convention condemned what it called an act of terrorism against KBC Church, Kultuh. “The two deceased were esteemed and faithful leaders of the church,” it said.
Anger over recovery of the six bodies sparked protests across Naga-majority areas.
