TIM questions KIM’s claim
|
IMPHAL, May 17: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has questioned the claim made by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) within less than two hours of the May 13 attack on Thadou church leaders that the ambush was carried out by ZUF-Kamson Group.
“The speed, certainty, and nature of the statement have led many to suspect it was pre-drafted”, TIM remarked in a statement.
Noting that both the NSCN-IM and the ZUF-Kamson Group have publicly denied involvement in the attack, TIM has demanded urgent hand over of the May 13 ambush to the NIA.
It said that the statement issued by KIM naming the alleged perpetrators must be thoroughly investigated, as it may indicate prior knowledge of, or access to, critical information, or an attempt to divert attention and shield the real culprits.
All possible roles and connections must be examined, including the involve- ment of Naga militant groups or Kuki militant groups, particularly the Kuki SoO group (KRA/KNO), which predominantly operates in the area where the attack occurred.
Investigators must also examine the significance of the KRA/KNO “tax collection entry gate,” located approximately one kilometre from the ambush site, and its proximity to an Army/Assam Rifles post, it said.
The ambush on Thadou Church leaders at Zero Point on the inter-village road between Kotlen and Kotzim villages on May 13 claimed the lives of three top executives of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI): its President, Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou; Finance Secretary, Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum; and Pastor Paogoulun Sitlhou.
Saying that other individuals identifying as Kuki or belonging to other communities were reportedly travelling along the same “Tiger–German” road only minutes apart, yet only the two TBAI vehicles were attacked while the others were left untouched, TIM asserted that the victims seemed to have been targeted either because of their identity as Thadou or, less likely, due to misidentification or mistaken identity.
Moreover, the brutal attack took place in an area dominated and controlled by armed Kuki militants and surrounded by several Kuki militant-dominated villages.
At the same time, there are uncomfortable yet undeniable truths regarding the victims’ firm conviction in their Thadou identity and their service to the Thadou community, which were not well received by some, particularly anti-Thadou and radical Kuki extremists, it said.
The Kuki militant perpetrators belonging to Kuki SoO groups, including the KRA, KLA, and UKDA, who — despite their initial claims of non-involvement — were later found to be responsible for the targeted killing of Nehkam Jomhao, a Thadou literature leader and peace advocate in Assam in 2025.
They would likely not have been identified and arrested without the swift and decisive action of the relevant State authorities and police, it said.
TIM, however, expressed deep disappointment over the failure or inability of the authorities to identify and arrest those responsible for the gruesome killing of the Thadou church leaders.
“Sadly, this comes as no surprise, given the Government’s long record of failing to bring perpetrators of numerous murder cases in the State to justice. Even in cases where the accused were identified, such as the July 2023 murders of youths–– Hemanjit and Linthoingambi, the prime accused remains at large despite being identified shortly after the incident....”, it added.
“The speed, certainty, and nature of the statement have led many to suspect it was pre-drafted”, TIM remarked in a statement.
Noting that both the NSCN-IM and the ZUF-Kamson Group have publicly denied involvement in the attack, TIM has demanded urgent hand over of the May 13 ambush to the NIA.
It said that the statement issued by KIM naming the alleged perpetrators must be thoroughly investigated, as it may indicate prior knowledge of, or access to, critical information, or an attempt to divert attention and shield the real culprits.
All possible roles and connections must be examined, including the involve- ment of Naga militant groups or Kuki militant groups, particularly the Kuki SoO group (KRA/KNO), which predominantly operates in the area where the attack occurred.
Investigators must also examine the significance of the KRA/KNO “tax collection entry gate,” located approximately one kilometre from the ambush site, and its proximity to an Army/Assam Rifles post, it said.
The ambush on Thadou Church leaders at Zero Point on the inter-village road between Kotlen and Kotzim villages on May 13 claimed the lives of three top executives of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI): its President, Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou; Finance Secretary, Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum; and Pastor Paogoulun Sitlhou.
Saying that other individuals identifying as Kuki or belonging to other communities were reportedly travelling along the same “Tiger–German” road only minutes apart, yet only the two TBAI vehicles were attacked while the others were left untouched, TIM asserted that the victims seemed to have been targeted either because of their identity as Thadou or, less likely, due to misidentification or mistaken identity.
Moreover, the brutal attack took place in an area dominated and controlled by armed Kuki militants and surrounded by several Kuki militant-dominated villages.
At the same time, there are uncomfortable yet undeniable truths regarding the victims’ firm conviction in their Thadou identity and their service to the Thadou community, which were not well received by some, particularly anti-Thadou and radical Kuki extremists, it said.
The Kuki militant perpetrators belonging to Kuki SoO groups, including the KRA, KLA, and UKDA, who — despite their initial claims of non-involvement — were later found to be responsible for the targeted killing of Nehkam Jomhao, a Thadou literature leader and peace advocate in Assam in 2025.
They would likely not have been identified and arrested without the swift and decisive action of the relevant State authorities and police, it said.
TIM, however, expressed deep disappointment over the failure or inability of the authorities to identify and arrest those responsible for the gruesome killing of the Thadou church leaders.
“Sadly, this comes as no surprise, given the Government’s long record of failing to bring perpetrators of numerous murder cases in the State to justice. Even in cases where the accused were identified, such as the July 2023 murders of youths–– Hemanjit and Linthoingambi, the prime accused remains at large despite being identified shortly after the incident....”, it added.