Imphal, May 16: Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has clarified that the three church leaders killed in the May 13 ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district belonged to the Thadou community and not the Kuki community, urging media organisations and individuals to avoid what it termed as misrepresentation of their identity.
In a statement, TIM said the Thadou community was experiencing grief and anger following the deaths of Dr Rev Vumthang Sitlhou, president of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI), Rev Kaigoulun and Pastor Paogoulen. Five others were also injured in the incident, which the organisation described as a “targeted attack” at Kotlen in Kangpokpi district.
The organisation alleged that some individuals and sections of the media had incorrectly identified the deceased church leaders as “Kuki,” a description it said had caused additional pain and distress among members of the bereaved community.
According to TIM, portraying the victims as Kuki was “inaccurate and deeply offensive,” irrespective of whether the error resulted from misinformation, lack of awareness or deliberate provocation. The organisation urged all concerned to acknowledge the distinct identity of the Thadou people and refer to the deceased only as Thadou and not as “Kuki” or “Thadou-Kuki”.
Referring specifically to Dr Rev Vumthang Sitlhou, TIM claimed that he had consistently maintained his Thadou identity. The organisation cited an incident related to the “Kuki Zo Flag” hoisting ceremony held at the KCC Community Hall on May 9, 2026, where his name had allegedly been listed among ministers associated with the event.
TIM stated that Rev Vumthang later clarified that he neither attended nor consented to participate in the programme and had rejected what it described as misrepresentation of his identity.
The organisation further claimed that Dr Rev Vumthang and the TBAI leadership had been involved in efforts to establish a United Baptist Convention (UBC) involving the Thadou Baptist Association and several other Baptist bodies, without including the term “Kuki” in the proposed convention name.
According to TIM, certain Kuki church groups later withdrew from the initiative over disagreements surrounding the omission of the term “Kuki” from the proposed name. The organisation said the attack occurred while the victims were returning to Kangpokpi after attending a UBC meeting in Churachandpur.
TIM also announced that the three slain church leaders had been declared “Thadou Martyrs” and alleged that some Kuki groups were attempting to politicise the incident and interfere in matters concerning Thadou identity and community affairs.
The killings have further intensified tensions in the region amid continuing ethnic sensitivities and unrest in Manipur.
