New Delhi: The killing of three tribal church leaders in Manipur on May 13 has once again deepened tensions in the violence-hit state, just days before Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh is scheduled to visit Churachandpur.

The May 13 attack took place when leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association of India (TBAI) and the United Baptist Council (UBC) were returning from a Baptist convention in Churachandpur to Kangpokpi district. According to survivors, unidentified gunmen opened fire on their two vehicles between Kotlen and Kotzim villages, at around 10 am.

The incident occurred on the hilly Tiger Road.

Among those killed were TBAI president Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, TBAI finance secretary Reverend Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and a pastor, Paogoulen Sitlhou.

A total of eight people were travelling in two vehicles. One of the survivors, Hekai Simte, told The Wire that the firing continued “non-stop for at least a minute” before suddenly ceasing. Simte, 56, was sitting in the second vehicle and managed to survive from the attack. “All the attackers had sophisticated weapons and that’s why they were able to shoot from a long distance,” Simte said.

While members of both the Meitei and Kuki communities have........

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