ZUF Denies Involvement in Deadly Ambush on Kuki Church Leaders in Kangpokpi

Kangpokpi, May 13: Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has denied any involvement in the deadly ambush on vehicles carrying Kuki civilians and church leaders between Kotlen and Kotzim in Kangpokpi district on May 13.

In a press release issued by its Ministry of Information and Publicity, the organisation said it had learned “with deep shock and concern” about the attack, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of three individuals, identified as Rev. V. Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen, while several others sustained critical injuries.

The statement came hours after Kuki organisations, including Kuki Inpi Manipur, alleged that the ambush was carried out by the ZUF-Kamson faction along with VBIGs.

Rejecting the allegations, ZUF stated that the organisation had “no involvement whatsoever” in the incident and described accusations linking the group to the attack as “baseless, unfounded and misleading.”

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“The organization was neither aware of nor connected in any manner with the attack,” the statement read.

ZUF also appealed to civil society organisations, media outlets and the public not to spread unverified information or make premature accusations without factual evidence, warning that misinformation could further inflame the already sensitive situation in Manipur.

The ambush targeted church leaders belonging to the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA), who were returning to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur after attending a church conference in Lamka.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across Kuki-Zo organisations and led to an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district called by the Kuki Students’ Organisation Churachandpur.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement identifying those responsible for the ambush, while demands for an immediate investigation continue to grow.