Editorial || Martyrdom of God’s Men: A Wake-Up Call for Peace and Justice in Manipur

In a shocking and outrageous incident, three Church leaders from Thadou-Kuki community tragically lost their precious lives in the hands of the terrorists. They were ambushed on their way back home to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur, after participating in a Church Conference.

This barbaric terrorist attack on Christian priests/pastors or leaders was allegedly carried out by armed terrorists whom the Zeliangrong United Front accused NSCN-IM proxy group ZUF-K as responsible, so as to disrupt the recent prace-building measures undertaken between different ethnic communities.

However, the coward and heinous attack on innocent civilians has now dented the infallible conflict-redressal platform available amongst the tribal of Manipur's Christian communities.

Amongst the tribals of Manipur, Christianity serves as the “social glues” that bridges gaps between the different ethnic tribal groups, thus providing an esteemed platform for solidarity and co-ordination between communities in negotiation, dialogue and discussion even when all other mechanisms fail. It is of serious concern that peace makers are deliberately attacked and mercilessly killed.

One must note that Church pastors/reverend or leaders should be viewed from the optics of the significant role they played and worked for the world of peace, reconciliation and peacful co-existence. 

With the continual unrest and conflict in Ukhrul district of Manipur, one cannot ignore the possibility of war mongers to deliberately drag another communities for a full-scale civil unrest between different ethnic communities through treacherous activities. A particular militant group that wages war against India's sovereignty and self-proclaimed for Naga independence is a cause of concern. Their attention driven actions have cause irreparable losses towards humanity.

The centre government and law enforcement agencies shouldn’t ignored the chronology of unrest in Tangkhul inhibited areas. With the arrival of Th. Muivah, the supreme leader of NSCN-IM, in Manipur, smear campaign and dehumanisation of indigenous Kuki-Zo people rises. The role of former Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, for creating rift and instigating violence between tribal communities cannot be ruled out here. The defamation and smear campaign towards Assam Rifle even in Tangkhul and Meitei areas are too big to be ruled out either.

The NSCN-IM chief's secessionist agenda is known worldwide. History is it that he had huge roles in ethnic cleansing against Kuki-Zo community during 1993-97. Chaos and disruption in the state, as a result of his secessionist agenda needs to be given a proper attention if the government is serious about bringing "normalcy and peace" in Manipur.

The Martyrs in today's tragic incident were ardent advocate and preacher of peace and communal harmony. For instance, Rev. V. Sitlhou was a respected Church leader and peacemaker who had only recently led the peace mission alongside the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) in Kohima to foster peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding between the Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul communities. His theological and cultural contributions, particularly through the publication of "Ragwang Lu" (Divine Songs), helped bridge Rongmei cultural traditions with Christian teachings and became an important part of early Rongmei Baptist devotional life. The contribution of Pastor Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou cannot be ignored.

The Government is as much responsible as those of coward terrorists for the tragedy. This tragedy should be a wakeup called for the government. Justice delayed and denied to many victims before them emboldened the terrorists to attack the social glues that binds all tribals together. If they remain slumber, the next tragedy will lead us to the point of no return.