Ukhrul/Senapati, May 29: The Working Committee of the United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly refuted allegations linking Naga groups to the ambush and killing of three Thadou church leaders in Churachandpur district on May 13, asserting that Nagas had “no involvement whatsoever” in the incident.
In a rejoinder statement issued on Friday from Tahamzam (Senapati), the UNC Working Committee responded to a May 25 statement released by the Kuki Organization for Human Rights and circulated in local media, rejecting accusations that implicated Naga groups in the deadly attack.
The UNC stated that allegations against Naga groups were “irrefutably ruled out” based on several factors, arguing that Nagas had no motive to target the Thadou church leaders, whom it described as “messengers of goodwill and peaceful co-existence.”
The Committee also dismissed claims that Naga armed groups had infiltrated areas allegedly controlled by Kuki militant factions between Kotlen and Kozim, terming the allegations “foolish” and “politically mischievous.” According to the UNC, such accusations lacked credibility and failed to establish any factual basis.
Citing what it termed as “reliable sources,” the UNC claimed that the attackers reportedly spoke in Kuki dialect, contending that this raised serious questions over the allegations levelled against Naga groups.
Further, the UNC Working Committee pointed to the nature of the ambush, stating that the attackers appeared to have prior intelligence regarding the movement of the church leaders’ vehicle. It alleged that the precision of the attack suggested that the victims were specifically targeted, noting that one of the deceased, Dr. Silthou, was reportedly struck by multiple bullets at close range.
The Committee also referred to the denial issued earlier by the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), stating that the organisation had categorically denied involvement in the ambush. The UNC accused KOHUR of selectively using and later dismissing the denial for “propaganda purposes.”
In a significant claim, the UNC suggested that the killing may have stemmed from internal tensions between sections of the Kuki and Thadou communities rather than any involvement of Naga groups. Referring to past statements issued by the Thadou Inpi Manipur, the UNC alleged that growing divisions over identity, political positions, and ethnic distinctions between “Thadou” and “Kuki” communities may have contributed to the circumstances leading to the incident.
The statement cited previous declarations by TIM, including assertions that “Thadou is not Kuki” and references to grievances over misidentification during the ongoing conflict in Manipur. According to the UNC, these developments pointed towards an evolving internal dispute that may have had broader social and political implications.
The UNC Working Committee also questioned KOHUR’s position regarding the abduction of six Naga civilians and women captives allegedly held by Kuki groups, asking why stronger condemnation had not been expressed over the matter. It alleged that the prolonged captivity of the individuals raised concerns over humanitarian issues and accountability.
Reiterating its stand, the UNC urged KOHUR to present “concrete proofs and facts” if it intended to challenge the Naga position on the matter, while maintaining that the allegations against Naga groups in the church leaders’ killing were baseless.
The statement comes amid heightened ethnic tensions and competing narratives surrounding recent incidents of violence in Manipur, particularly in hill districts already affected by prolonged unrest.
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