Hostage standoff in Manipur as tensions spiral day after church leaders’ killing | India News
A day after three church leaders were killed in an ambush in Manipur, tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities continued to spiral on Thursday in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, with dozens of villagers from both sides having been abducted by groups on the other. Based on inputs from organisations on both sides, it has been learnt that there are 18 Liangmai Naga villagers are being held captive by Kuki groups in Kangpokpi district, and around 29 Kuki villagers are being held by Naga groups, mostly in Senapati district. As of 11.30 am on Friday, the impasse over this mutual hostage situation was not resolved. On Wednesday morning, the tensions in Manipur reached a new height when three church leaders from the Thadou Baptist Association, Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, Reverend Kaigoulen Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou, were killed in an attack on their vehicles while they were travelling from Churachandpur to Kangpokpi. As news of this attack in Kangpokpi district spread, it sent shockwaves across the state. It was shortly after information of this attack surfaced …
