Edited by Kimbawinu Vaiphei, Kukiland Express Desk
Songpi: May 16, 2026:
Members of the Christian community in Dimapur, Nagaland, staged a peaceful protest rally on Friday evening to condemn the killing of three Kuki pastors in Manipur on May 13, who were allegedly ambushed by the Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kasom, which organisers described as an NSCN-IM proxy group.
The rally began at 5:00 PM from Patkai Bazaar Junction and proceeded to Half Nagarjan Traffic Police Point. Hundreds of participants, including church leaders, youth, and women’s groups, marched with banners and placards reading “PEACE NOT WAR” and “Serve the People, Serve the Nation, Serve God.” A central banner carried photographs of the three deceased pastors — Rev. V. Sitlhou, Pr. Paogoulen, and Rev. Paogoulun — and stated they were “tragically killed in an ambush.”
Organisers said the demonstration was held to mourn the pastors and to appeal for an end to targeted violence against civilians and church leaders in Manipur. Speakers at the gathering called for an impartial investigation into the May 13 incident and urged both state and central authorities to ensure the safety of religious workers in conflict areas. They also demanded the immediate release of civilians allegedly held hostage following the ambush.
The rally remained peaceful with heavy deployment of Dimapur police along the route to maintain order. Prayer services were held at the conclusion of the march, where church elders led the crowd in intercessory prayers for the bereaved families and for lasting peace in Manipur and Nagaland.
Civil society groups in Dimapur expressed solidarity with the Kuki Christian Leaders’ Forum, which earlier sought a probe into the killings. Organisers reiterated that the rally was non-political and aimed solely at upholding peace, justice, and the sanctity of human life.
