A team of church leaders is set to visit Kangpokpi and Senapati districts in an effort to defuse the ongoing hostage crisis triggered by the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district on May 13. The initiative involves representatives from the Council for Baptist Churches in Northeast India (CBCNEI) and the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC). A 10-member delegation of church leaders called on Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday to discuss the fresh tensions arising out of the hostage stand-off between the two tribal communities. Deputy chief minister Losii Dikho also attended the meeting. According to a release from the chief minister’s secretariat, the church leaders volunteered to broker peace between the communities.
The chief minister appreciated the initiative and encouraged the church leaders to engage with both sides to restore peace. “Held a meaningful interaction at the Secretariat with representatives of the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India (CBCNEI) and Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC), in the presence of Deputy CM Losii Dikho, on strengthening peace, harmony and brotherhood in the state,” Khemchand said. “I appeal to all stakeholders and messengers of peace to continue fostering dialogue, reconciliation and unity among communities. The Government remains fully committed to safeguarding peace and harmony in Manipur,” he said.
The church leaders will work in two separate teams, with one team travelling to Kangpokpi district and the other to Senapati district. According to the release, the church leaders strongly felt that hostages on both sides should be released immediately on humanitarian grounds. The Kangpokpi team will meet family members of the three slain church leaders and later hold discussions with Kuki church leaders. The government has also assured ex gratia to the bereaved families. The Senapati team will meet Naga church leaders and civil society organisations to discuss the prevailing tension and hostage crisis.
