Kangpokpi: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen strongly condemned the deadly ambush on church leaders and civilians between Kotzim and Kotlen villages in Kangpokpi district, terming the attack a “cruel and heartbreaking act of violence” that has plunged the region into grief.
In a strongly worded condemnation statement issued following the incident, Kipgen said she was “deeply pained” by the tragic killings of prominent church leaders who were returning home after attending a religious gathering in Churachandpur district.
Expressing profound sorrow over the deaths, the Deputy Chief Minister conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou, President of the Thadou Baptist Association and former General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention, Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou, and Pastor Kaigoulun Lhouvum, who were killed in the ambush.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families during this difficult time,” she stated, while also praying for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.
Kipgen said such “barbaric acts of violence” only inflict pain, fear, and suffering upon innocent people and appealed to all communities to reject hatred and stand together in peace and unity.
“At this difficult moment, let us stand together in peace, compassion, and unity, and pray for strength for the affected families and communities,” she said.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve to restore normalcy and uphold law and order, the Deputy Chief Minister asserted that the government remains committed to ensuring peace and delivering justice to those responsible for the killings.
Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen also issued a fierce and unequivocal condemnation of the deadly ambush on Christian leaders and missionaries in Kangpokpi district, describing the attack as a “heinous” act of terror that struck unsuspecting servants of God and left the region reeling in grief and outrage.
In his condemnation statement, Kipgen said the brutal assault claimed the lives of Reverend V. Sithlhou, Pastor Kaigoulun and Pastor Paogoulen, while several others sustained injuries, terming the killings an unforgivable act of barbarity against those devoted to spreading the divine Gospel.
“I strongly condemn the heinous ambush perpetrated against the unsuspecting Christian leaders and missionaries today by an unidentified terrorist group,” Kipgen stated, while extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and affirming his solidarity with them in their moment of immense sorrow.
Calling for collective moral outrage, the legislator asserted that the continuing cycle of violence must be rejected by all peace-loving people irrespective of tribe or linguistic identity, and earnestly appealed to every community to maintain calm, uphold empathy, and resist forces seeking to fracture communal harmony during this grave hour.
Kipgen further declared that those responsible for carrying out such a gruesome act against religious leaders and missionaries “must not be left absolved of their crimes,” pressing authorities, government agencies and civil society alike to act with urgency and diligence to ensure justice is delivered and peace restored.
He concluded by praying for the departed, saying the slain spiritual leaders should rest in eternal glory, while reiterating that justice and peace must prevail over terror and bloodshed.
Meanwhile, Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing also strongly condemned the ambush on leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) between Kotzim and Kotlen villages in Kangpokpi district, branding the attack as a cowardly, barbaric and inhuman act that has shaken the conscience of society.
MLA Kimneo Hangshing said it was deeply shocking and heartbreaking that respected and revered church leaders, who were returning after attending a religious conference, were targeted in an act of senseless violence that has plunged the region into mourning.
“I strongly and unequivocally condemn the cowardly ambush carried out against the Church leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA),” she stated, emphasizing that the targeting of religious leaders and innocent civilians represents a horrifying descent into brutality with no place in any civilized society.
She said such senseless bloodshed only deepens collective pain and poses a grave threat to peace, harmony and the social fabric of the land, warning that attacks on spiritual leaders strike at the very moral core of the community.
Expressing profound sorrow, Hangshing mourned the deaths of Rev. V. Sitlhou, former General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention, Pastor Paogoulen, Pastor Kaigoulun and Rev. Vumthang, while also praying for the swift recovery of those injured in the devastating attack.
Demanding immediate accountability, the Saikul MLA urged the authorities concerned to initiate stringent and uncompromising action against the perpetrators and ensure justice is delivered without delay, asserting that such barbarity cannot be allowed to go unanswered.
