Imphal, May 18 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday lauded the proactive role being played by church leaders in efforts to defuse the prevailing ethnic tension following the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district earlier this month.

Three church leaders belonging to the Kuki community were killed and four others injured after unidentified militants opened fire at Zero Point between Kotlen and Kotzim villages in Kangpokpi district on May 13. The incident further escalated tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities in the hill districts of the state.

A 10-member delegation of church leaders representing the Council for Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI) and the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) met the Chief Minister on Monday and discussed the volatile situation arising out of the recent violence.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, a prominent Naga leader.

According to an official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the church leaders volunteered to act as peace facilitators between the two communities and expressed willingness to engage with all stakeholders to restore normalcy.

“The Chief Minister said he was deeply touched by the church leaders meeting him and extending their support in the effort to restore peace and harmony,” the CMO official said.

The state government appreciated the initiative taken by the church leaders and encouraged them to continue dialogue with both communities to ease tensions and build confidence among the people, the official added.

According to the CMO official, the church leaders will work through two separate teams as part of their peace outreach initiative.

“One team will travel to Kangpokpi district, while another team will visit Senapati district. The church leaders strongly feel that hostages held by both sides should be released immediately on humanitarian grounds,” the official said.

The team visiting Kangpokpi district will meet the family members of the three deceased church leaders to convey condolences and solidarity. The Manipur government has also assured ex gratia assistance to the bereaved families.

The delegation will subsequently hold discussions with Kuki church leaders in Kangpokpi district in an attempt to reduce hostilities and encourage reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the second team visiting Senapati district will meet Naga church leaders as well as representatives of Naga Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to discuss the prevailing tense situation and the ongoing hostage crisis.

The peace initiative by the church leaders comes amid growing concerns over inter-community tensions and renewed violence in parts of Manipur’s hill districts.

Meanwhile, a police official said that more than 40 people belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities had been held hostage by various groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the killing of the three Baptist Church leaders and the injuring of four others on May 13.

However, 30 people belonging to both communities were released on May 14 and 15 following sustained efforts by authorities, community leaders and various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the official added.

–IANS

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