Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, September 4:
The Kalhang Khullen Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in Tangkhul region, has issued a strong clarification over what it termed as “a distortion of its history,” while announcing stern measures against individuals allegedly responsible for the controversy.
Addressing a press conference held at the TTE office, Phungreitang, Ukhrul, the clarification was led by the Village Chairman and Church Secretary. They reiterated that the Kalhang Khullen Baptist Church, established in 1945, was pioneered by KMS Kanrei, AS Shangzak, K. Kasarming, and K. Ngamsha, with Mr. GS Ayok of Lunghar Village serving as the first Pastor. Over the decades, the Church has celebrated significant milestones, including its Silver Jubilee in 1970, Golden Jubilee in 1995, and Platinum Jubilee in 2021.
The controversy began when Mr. Ningaima Ronra Shimray, Mr. Haoching Ronra Shimray, and Mr. Peter Ronra Shimray of Luireishimphung Village filed Civil Appeal Case No. 49/TNLK/2025. In their petition, they claimed that Luiha Ronra Shimray, a student of William Pettigrew, introduced Baptist Christianity in Kalhang Village in 1921. The Church leadership said this claim “distorted established history without verification.”
Following the Church’s Half-Yearly Assembly on July 30, 2025, the Board of Deacon was entrusted to address the controversy. On August 7–8, 2025, during Explanation Call proceedings, the three witnesses admitted they were unaware of the actual history of Kalhang Khullen Baptist Church and confessed they had signed the petition without understanding its contents. They apologized and assured that they would refrain from further misleading statements until the case was withdrawn.
Subsequently, on August 9, 2025, the case parties also confessed before the Church Board and Elders, apologizing for the false claim. They agreed to withdraw Civil Appeal Case No. 49/TNLK/2025, issue a corrigendum in local newspapers, and relinquish any claims regarding Luiha Ronra Shimray in print or digital platforms. A corrigendum was later published in The Sangai Express on August 13, 2025, while an amended appeal was received on August 14, 2025.
However, the Church expressed dissatisfaction, noting that the case withdrawal order was not produced within the stipulated time despite repeated reminders. As a result, during an Emergency Assembly held on August 31, 2025, the Church resolved to forbid the three signatories—Peter Ronra Shimray, Haoching Ronra Shimray, and Ningaima Ronra Shimray—from entering the Kalhang Khullen Baptist Church compound until the matter is fully settled in accordance with their signed undertakings.
