The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the killing of three church leaders in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district last month, officials said on Wednesday.
The victims, members of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA), were killed on May 13 when suspected militants ambushed two vehicles carrying them near Zero Point between Kotzim and Kotlen areas. Four other occupants sustained bullet injuries in the attack.
According to the NIA’s First Information Report (FIR), armed assailants opened fire on the vehicles while the occupants were returning to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur after attending a religious gathering. Three members of the TBA died on the spot, while four others were injured.
The case was initially registered by Manipur Police on the day of the incident. Following directions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the NIA has re-registered the case and commenced its investigation.
In its order transferring the case, the Ministry stated that the attack was intended to cause loss of life and property and spread fear among civilians. It noted that the seriousness of the offence, its wider implications and the need to uncover any larger conspiracy necessitated an investigation by the NIA.
The incident occurred amid the continuing ethnic unrest in Manipur, which has witnessed violence since May 2023.
