Three church leaders have been killed after being ambushed in the Indian state of Manipur. Four others are said to have sustained injuries.
The ministers were among a group of pastors and church workers who were targeted in what the United Christian Forum of North-East India (UCFNEI) described as a “brutal and inhuman act of violence”.
The victims, who were from the Manipur Baptist Convention and the Kuki Church Leaders Forum, were travelling along a road when they were ambushed by militants believed to be connected with Meitei insurgent groups. Police said they were killed in “unprovoked firing by unidentified gunmen”, and more than 30 people are believed to have been taken hostage.
UCFNEI spokesperson Allen Brooks said the deaths had left a “deep void” within their communities, which were already struggling with ongoing violence.
In May 2023, at least 200 Christians were killed when violence erupted in the region between the Christian Kukis and the mainly Hindu and indigenous Meiteis. Hundreds of churches were destroyed, and thousands of believers were displaced. Many have still not been able to return home because of the fear of further violence.
Brooks said the latest attack was “an assault on the sanctity of life and the spirit of brotherhood in Northeast India.” He added that no political or ethnic grievance could justify the killing of unarmed religious leaders who dedicated their lives to reconciliation and service.
The UCFNEI is urging the Indian government and authorities in Manipur to launch an urgent investigation into the attacks.