At a mass prayer and rally in Kangpokpi, church leaders submitted a memorandum to Manipur CM, calling for swift investigation into the May 13 killings and immediate relief for civilians affected by the prolonged blockade. The CM urged communities to embrace “forgive and forget” for lasting peace.
By Kimbawinu Vaiphei | Kukiland Express
Kanggui, July 9, 2026: Church leaders from across Kangpokpi District gathered on Wednesday for a mass prayer service and peace rally on July 8, 2026, making an emotional appeal for justice and humanitarian relief amid months of unrest. Organized under the banner of the Kuki Christian Forum (KCF), the programme began at KBC Centre Church, Kangpokpi, before participants marched to National Highway-2 for a sit-in demonstration. The rally focused on the May 13 ambush that claimed the lives of three senior church leaders while they were traveling in the district. A memorandum was later submitted to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who made a brief stopover in Kangpokpi while returning from Senapati.
The three victims named in the memorandum were Rev. V. Sitlhou, former Chairman of the Kuki Christian Forum, Pastor Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou. Describing the attack as a direct assault on both faith and community, KCF leaders said the incident has triggered three months of violence in Kangpokpi. According to Rev. Dr. S. Chongloi, Chairman of the KCF, the killings sparked further unrest that has since left 14 Kuki civilians dead and 14 villages burnt, leading to large-scale displacement and fear among residents. He stressed that despite the suffering, the Church has continued to pray for peace and restraint.
In the memorandum, the Forum urged the state government to expedite the investigation into the killing of the three pastors and ensure accountability for all 14 civilian deaths reported since April. Church leaders said the lack of visible progress in the probe has deepened a sense of insecurity among the people. They requested that the findings be placed before both the State Cabinet and the Union Government for urgent action, adding that justice delayed would only prolong mistrust and instability in the region.
A second major demand centered on the prolonged economic blockade that has restricted the movement of essential goods in Kuki-inhabited areas. The Forum described the blockade as a humanitarian crisis, saying shortages of food, fuel, medicines, and other supplies have hit women, children, the elderly, the sick, and displaced families the hardest. Church leaders appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene immediately to restore unhindered access to supplies and healthcare, and to take concrete steps toward normalizing daily life in affected villages.
Responding to the memorandum, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh addressed the gathering along NH-2 and spoke about reconciliation. He highlighted the Christian principle of “forgive and forget” as central to rebuilding communal harmony. The CM warned that prolonged conflict disproportionately affects the youth, jeopardizing the future of entire communities. He called on religious leaders to guide young people away from violence and toward dialogue. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the rule of law, he said no individual or group is above the law and assured that justice would be delivered without discrimination.
The rally concluded with prayers for peace. Church leaders reiterated that their immediate priorities remain a fast-tracked investigation, justice for the slain pastors and other victims, and the lifting of the blockade. They maintained that lasting peace in Manipur can only come through accountability, humanitarian relief, and efforts to bridge the trust deficit between communities. The Chief Minister assured them that their grievances would be taken up at the appropriate levels for prompt action.
