Lamka: Amid escalating violence in Manipur, the Kuki Christian Leaders’ Forum (KCLF) expressed profound grief over the killing of six Naga hostages and strongly condemned the fresh attack in Kamjong district that claimed the lives of two Kuki church leaders and left several families homeless.
The KCLF said the state continues to witness “brutal and barbaric acts of killing” more than three years after ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, and appealed for an immediate end to retaliatory attacks that have plunged communities deeper into fear and suffering.
The Christian body said it was mourning the deaths of the six hostages whose bodies were recently recovered, describing the incident as a tragic loss of human lives that has further deepened the wounds of the prolonged conflict.
The Forum also drew attention to Thursday’s deadly attack on Kultuh village in Kamjong district, where the Head Deacon and Youth Chairman of the village Baptist Church were killed.
“The ongoing violence has witnessed many brutal and barbaric acts of killings,” the KCLF said, while expressing solidarity with all bereaved families affected by the conflict.
Calling for peace and reconciliation, the Forum urged all communities to “stop the violence, break the cycle of retaliation and work together for peaceful coexistence.”
It stressed that the love of Christ must transcend tribal identities and become a unifying force in a state increasingly fractured by ethnic divisions.
The Christian leaders further appealed for collective efforts to rebuild trust among communities, saying that despite the deep scars left by the conflict, peace remains possible if all sides reject violence and embrace dialogue.
Earlier, the Kuki Christian Leaders’ Forum (KCLF) has welcomed the safe release of 14 Kuki hostages after 28 days in captivity, while strongly condemning the killing of a Kuki-Zo villager in Kangpokpi district, warning that the latest violence risks derailing fragile efforts toward peace in Manipur.
The KCLF had expressed “heartfelt appreciation” to Senapati-based Naga civil society organisations for what it described as a “noble and courageous decision” to release the 14 hostages safely and unconditionally.
The forum said the release reflected “the true Christian spirit of compassion, mercy and reconciliation” and marked the fulfilment of weeks of prayers and appeals by church bodies and civil society organisations seeking the captives’ freedom.
Describing the development as a significant ray of hope, the KCLF said the safe return of the hostages demonstrated that peace and dialogue could prevail over violence and mistrust, offering renewed hope for reconciliation among communities affected by the prolonged ethnic conflict.
The organisation also recalled previous peace initiatives undertaken by Kuki church leaders and civil society organisations, including efforts led by the late Rev. V. Sitlhou, who travelled to Kohima at the invitation of the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) in pursuit of a ceasefire and lasting solution to the crisis.
The forum noted that Rev. Sitlhou was assassinated along with two other pastors just nine days after the peace meeting, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the challenges confronting reconciliation efforts in the region.
However, while celebrating the release of the hostages, the KCLF voiced deep concern over the killing of Haogin Lhouvum, a Kuki-Zo villager who was reportedly shot dead while working in a paddy field at Lasan village along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district.
The forum said the incident had generated widespread fear and anxiety among the public and raised concerns that the progress made toward peace and reconciliation could once again be undermined by renewed violence.
Calling on all communities to reject violence and work collectively toward healing and restoration, the forum had urged church leaders at both regional and national levels to intensify efforts to help find a permanent solution to the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
The KCLF appealed for mutual trust, understanding and respect among communities, expressing hope that the latest humanitarian breakthrough would serve as a foundation for lasting peace rather than be overshadowed by fresh bloodshed.
“Even now, we can come together to find peace and rebuild trust among communities,” the Forum said, while urging citizens not to allow grief and anger to fuel another cycle of violence.
