Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh has strongly condemned the killing of three civilians in a firing incident carried out by armed miscreants between Kotlen and Kotzim areas in Kangpokpi district.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Chief Minister described the attack as a “dastardly terror act” that also left four other civilians injured.
According to the statement, three of the injured persons were shifted to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal for treatment. The Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, MLAs and other government officials, visited the injured at the hospital and enquired about their condition.
The Chief Minister stated that the Manipur government would bear all medical expenses of the injured and directed authorities to ensure the highest standard of treatment.
Calling the incident deeply disturbing, Khemchand Singh said such violence threatens the state’s gradual return towards peace and normalcy.
“Our state is gradually moving towards peace, therefore actions that undermine this collective effort of our people to restore normalcy are unacceptable,” the statement said.
The Chief Minister further asserted that terrorism and violence targeting innocent civilians have “no place in a civilized society” and said the entire state stands united against such acts of terror.
Earlier, three prominent Kuki-Zo church leaders were killed and several others critically injured in an ambush in Kangpokpi district on Wednesday morning.
The attack took place between Kotzim and Kotlen villages along the road connecting Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. The victims were reportedly returning from a church conference when unidentified armed men opened fire on their vehicles. The incident has dealt a major blow to ongoing reconciliation and peace-building efforts in the region.
The deceased have been identified as Rev. Dr. V. Sitlhou, former General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention and a senior leader of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA); Rev. Kaigoulen, also referred to as Rev. V. Kaigoulun; and Pastor Paogoulen. Reports said a driver or another civilian may also have been killed taking the death toll to at least three or four. Five others sustained critical injuries.