Special Correspondent
Imphal/Ukhrul, May 16:
The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) and the Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD) have strongly opposed a proposed protest announced by the Kuki Students’ Organisation Delhi & NCR over the killing of three Thadou church leaders in Manipur.
In separate statements issued on Saturday, both organisations alleged that the protest campaign contains inflammatory and defamatory references targeting the Tangkhul community and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). They appealed to the Delhi Police and authorities to take preventive measures to avoid communal tension during demonstrations in the National Capital Region.
TKS urged authorities to examine the proposed rally under provisions of the Delhi Police Act, 1978, and called on KSO Delhi & NCR to withdraw the protest and remove objectionable materials. While condemning the killing of civilians and church leaders, TKS maintained that the incident should be investigated through lawful and impartial procedures rather than through “ethnically charged mobilisations.”
The organisation warned that assigning blame without substantiated evidence could worsen the fragile ethnic situation in Manipur and trigger unrest beyond the state. It also cautioned that dissemination of unverified communal allegations could attract legal action under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Meanwhile, NSUD expressed grief over the killing of the pastors and church workers, describing the incident as an “unforgivable assault on humanity and faith.” The union alleged that the victims were attacked while returning from a meeting in Churachandpur regarding the proposed formation of a United Baptist Convention.
NSUD also raised concern over the alleged abduction of six Naga civilians and demanded their immediate release. Criticising the proposed KSO Delhi-NCR protest, the union accused the organisation of attempting to target the Naga community without credible evidence and urged all groups to promote restraint and reconciliation amid the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur.