Kangpokpi, My 13: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has strongly condemned the ambush on Kuki-Zo church leaders between Kotzim and Kotlen areas in Kangpokpi district, alleging that the attack was carried out by the ZUF-Kamson faction and VBIGs.
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| Aftermath of the ambush on TBA church leaders seen near the Kotzim-Kotlen area in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on May 13, 2026. |
In a press statement issued on May 13, KIM described the incident as a “cowardly and barbaric ambush” that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, identified as Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen, while leaving five others critically injured.
Among the deceased, Rev. V. Sitlhou was identified as a respected church leader, former General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention and current President of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA).
KIM stated that Rev. Sitlhou had recently participated in a peace mission alongside the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum in Kohima aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation and understanding between the Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul communities.
The organisation said the attack on unarmed church leaders and civilians constituted a direct assault on the spirit of peace and questioned the timing of the ambush at a time when peace initiatives and dialogue efforts were being encouraged by church leaders and civil society organisations.
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KIM urged the Government of India to immediately initiate a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are swiftly identified and brought to justice. It also appealed to civil society organisations, churches and democratic forces to unequivocally condemn the attack.
The organisation further urged the Kuki-Zo community to remain united, vigilant and steadfast amid the ongoing tensions, warning that repeated attacks and inaction could endanger prospects for peace and coexistence in the region.
Meanwhile, Kuki Students’ Organisation Churachandpur (KSO Churachandpur) has called an emergency indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district from 12:30 pm on May 13 in protest against the killing of the church leaders and what it described as the failure of authorities to curb the activities of armed groups in the region.
