SHILLONG, May 13: While Manipur’s ethnic fire consumes the clergy, Meghalaya’s political leadership has shifted from cautious diplomacy to outright alarm, demanding that New Delhi stop treating the targeted killing of church leaders as mere collateral damage in the ongoing civil unrest.
The reactions follow the gunning down of three Baptist church leaders and the injury of four others in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday. The victims, members of the Kuki Baptist community and the Manipur Baptist Convention, were reportedly targeted in a fresh wave of violence that has sent shockwaves through the Christian-majority states of the Northeast.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma termed the attack “unprovoked violence and brutality” against those working to foster peace. Moving beyond standard condolences, the Chief Minister urged Manipur authorities to move toward “immediate and strict action” against the perpetrators.
The National People’s Party (NPP) issued a stern demand for accountability, calling on both the Centre and the Manipur government to ensure a transparent, time-bound investigation. The party emphasised that the targeting of the Kuki Church Leaders Forum is a grave assault on the values of harmony, calling for immediate security reinforcements in conflict-affected areas to protect vulnerable religious leaders and communities.
In a significant rhetorical departure that places the Manipur government in a difficult position, senior Meghalaya BJP leader AL Hek branded the incident a “heinous terror act.”
He asserted there can be no justification for the violence and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice without delay to restore public confidence.
“Religious leaders have remained a vital source of hope and strength for communities during prolonged unrest. Targeting innocent civilians, including church leaders, is a deeply disturbing and inhuman act,” Hek said, urging both the State and Centre to act with urgency.
