Reported by Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) have strongly condemned the brutal killing of three church leaders and injury to five others in an ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday morning.
In a statement, Rio said such barbaric and senseless violence against innocent lives is unacceptable and has no place in any civilised society.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the church community, and the people of Manipur. He also prayed for strength and comfort for all those affected by the tragedy.
The NBCC condemned this act of violence, saying that taking human life is a violation of God’s law and an assault on the image of God in which every person is made.
It said this heinous act is an attack on the faith community and a flagrant disregard for the sanctity of human life.
Stating that such violence is a grave transgression that impacts “all of us”, the NBCC called upon the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to apprehend those responsible and to ensure justice.
Condemning the killing, the NJCF described the incident as “shocking” and “sorrowful”. It appealed to all communities to shun violence and work toward peace and reconciliation.
The forum condoled the deaths of the church workers and said they had been faithfully labouring for peace and reconciliation in the conflict-torn land of Manipur.