Imphal, May 18 (IANS). Amidst the increasing tension between the Kuki and Naga communities in Manipur, church leaders have now started a major initiative to restore peace. State Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh praised this initiative and said that the active role of church leaders can prove to be very important in normalizing the situation.
In fact, on May 13, unidentified militants opened fire in the Zero Point area between Kotlen and Kotzim villages of Kangpokpi district. Three church leaders belonging to the Kuki community were killed in this attack, while four others were injured. After this incident, tension between Kuki and Naga communities in the hill districts further increased.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, a 10-member delegation of Council for Baptist Churches of North East India (CBCNEI) and Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) met the Chief Minister on Monday. State Deputy Chief Minister and prominent Naga leader Losi Dikho were also present in the meeting.
According to an official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the church leaders expressed their desire to play the role of peace brokers between the two communities and said that they would try to normalize the situation by talking to all parties. The Chief Minister also praised the initiative and said that he was extremely impressed by the cooperation and peace efforts of the church leaders.
The government has encouraged church leaders to continue dialogue between the two communities and restore trust between the people.
According to the CMO officer, two separate teams of church leaders have been formed under the peace campaign. One team will visit Kangpokpi district, while the other team will visit Senapati district. Church leaders believe that people held hostage by both sides should be immediately released on humanitarian grounds.
The team going to Kangpokpi will meet the families of the three slain church leaders and express their condolences. The state government has also assured ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. After this, the team will meet with Kuki Church leaders and talk towards reducing tension and reconciliation.
Meanwhile, the second team going to Senapati district will meet Naga church leaders and representatives of Naga civil society organizations to discuss the current situation and the hostage crisis.
Meanwhile, police officials said that after the May 13 violence, more than 40 people from both communities were held hostage by different groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. However, after sustained efforts by the administration, community leaders and civil society organizations, 30 people from both communities were released on 14 and 15 May.
–IANS
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