Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) have strongly condemned the killing of three church leaders in an ambush in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Wednesday morning.
Chief Minister's Condemnation
In a statement, Rio said that such barbaric and senseless violence against innocent lives is unacceptable and has no place in any civilised society. He expressed deep sorrow over the incident, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the church community, and the people of Manipur, and prayed for strength and comfort for all those affected by this tragic event.
NBCC's Response
The NBCC stated that taking human life is a violation of God's law and an assault on the image of God in which every person is made. Calling the act heinous, the council said it represents an attack on the faith community and shows a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life. The NBCC emphasised that such violence is a grave transgression that impacts all of us and urged the authorities to conduct a thorough probe to apprehend those responsible and ensure justice is served.
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum also joined in the condemnation, reiterating the call for a swift and impartial investigation. The church bodies appealed for peace and restraint in the region, urging all communities to stand together against such acts of violence.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Christian community in the Northeast, with many expressing grief and outrage. The three church leaders were reportedly returning from a meeting when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen. Security forces have been deployed in the area to prevent any further escalation.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining peace and security in the region, and the need for dialogue and reconciliation among all communities.
