Kangpokpi district in Manipur witnessed widespread protests and a total shutdown on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, after an ambush between Kotzim and Kotlen killed three Kuki-Zo church leaders and left several others critically injured. The attack prompted immediate anger and calls for justice across the district.
The shutdown was called by Thadou civil bodies in Sadar Hills; business establishments remained closed and vehicular movement along National Highway-2 was completely disrupted. Authorities deployed security forces at sensitive locations in Kangpokpi amid heightened tensions to prevent further violence.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) issued separate statements condemning the attack. Both organisations described the ambush as a “premeditated act of terrorism,” alleging it was carried out by the ZUF Kamson faction together with Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) to undermine ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts between Kuki‑Zo and Tangkhul communities.
KIM, the apex body representing Kuki tribes in Manipur, called the incident a “cowardly and barbaric ambush” and said it resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including prominent church leaders Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen. The organisation said several others sustained critical injuries.
KIM noted that Rev. V. Sitlhou had recently taken part in a peace mission in Kohima with the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum aimed at promoting reconciliation and mutual understanding between the Kuki‑Zo and Tangkhul communities. The body urged the Government of India to carry out an immediate and comprehensive investigation and appealed to churches, civil society groups and democratic institutions to condemn the killings and ensure accountability.
KOHUR alleged that cadres of the NSCN‑IM, acting in collusion with the ZUF, ambushed a delegation of senior Kuki church leaders travelling from Churachandpur to Kangpokpi for an inter‑association ecclesiastical meeting. It said the delegation included senior clergy of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) and the United Baptist Council (UBC) and described the victims as unarmed religious leaders engaged in peace‑building.
KOHUR demanded registration of cases under anti‑terror laws, a review of ceasefire arrangements with NSCN‑IM, constitution of a high‑level judicial commission and deployment of additional Central security forces in Kuki‑Zo inhabited areas. It also appealed to international Christian bodies — including the Vatican, the World Council of Churches, the Baptist World Alliance and the National Council of Churches in India — to condemn the killings and support efforts to protect clergy involved in reconciliation initiatives.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement addressing the allegations made by KIM and KOHUR.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/video/manipur-kangpokpi-erupts-in-protest-after-kuki-zo-church-leaders-killed-in-ambush-kuki-bodies-demand-swift-action-1391159-2026-05-13?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-05-13 15:02:00
