By Yaqut Ali
New Delhi: The killing of three tribal church leaders in Manipur on May 13 has once again deepened tensions in the violence-hit state, just days before Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh is scheduled to visit Churachandpur.
The May 13 attack took place when leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association of India (TBAI) and the United Baptist Council (UBC) were returning from a Baptist convention in Churachandpur to Kangpokpi district. According to survivors, unidentified gunmen opened fire on their two vehicles between Kotlen and Kotzim villages, at around 10 am.
The incident occurred on the hilly Tiger Road.
Among those killed were TBAI president Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, TBAI finance secretary Reverend Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and a pastor, Paogoulen Sitlhou.
A total of eight people were travelling in two vehicles. One of the survivors, Hekai Simte, told The Wire that the firing continued “non-stop for at least a minute” before suddenly ceasing. Simte, 56, was sitting in the second vehicle and managed to survive from the attack. “All the attackers had sophisticated weapons and that’s why they were able to shoot from a long distance,” Simte said.
While members of both the Meitei and Kuki communities have blamed each other for the attack, several questions remain unanswered. Simte told The Wire that the firing came “from the hillside”. The location of the attack has drawn attention because, despite Union home minister Amit Shah’s push for “free movement” across Manipur, Meitei groups largely do not have access to the hill districts, while Kukis remain unable to move freely in the valley areas. The exact circumstances of the killings, and who carried them out, are now central to the investigation.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.