Imphal: The Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has raised concerns over the lack of arrests in connection with the May 13 killing of three senior Thadou Christian leaders, despite the case having been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
In a statement, the Thadou body said more than 100 days had passed since the targeted ambush in which three senior leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI) — Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou — were killed and five others seriously injured.
TIM said there had been no publicly known arrests in the case so far, and questioned the effectiveness, independence, transparency and credibility of the NIA investigation.
The organisation alleged that the attack took place in an area where Kuki SoO militant groups, including the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) and Kuki National Front (KNF), have a presence.
TIM specifically referred to an alleged “tax collection gate” operated by KRA near the incident site and claimed that Kuki armed groups have significant operational influence in the area.
The Thadou body, however, said it did not intend to prejudge the guilt of any individual or organisation. It urged the NIA to examine whether members or associates of any armed group had prior knowledge of the victims’ movements or had provided information that could have facilitated the attack.
TIM also highlighted what it described as the selective nature of the ambush.
According to the organisation, the two vehicles carrying the TBAI leaders had clearly visible TBA signage, and only those vehicles were targeted while other vehicles travelling ahead of and behind them were not attacked.
The organisation said the circumstances warranted an investigation into whether the victims were specifically identified and targeted because of their Thadou identity and association with the TBAI.
TIM urged the NIA to establish whether any cadres, commanders, intelligence networks or associates had prior information about the leaders’ movements, facilitated the attack, helped conceal evidence or otherwise obstructed the investigation.
The Thadou body also raised questions about the political environment surrounding the investigation, citing alleged familial and political links between members of the state government and Kuki SoO militant groups.
TIM said such relationships did not, by themselves, establish criminal responsibility but argued that any potential conflict of interest or political influence should be independently examined.
The organisation further called on the NIA to investigate whether government officials, political actors or security personnel had prior information about the attack, failed to act despite possessing relevant information, or subsequently influenced or compromised the investigation.
Dispute over victims’ identity
TIM also questioned what it described as the NIA’s refusal to correct the identity of the three slain pastors in NIA-related material.
According to TIM, the victims have been identified or labelled as “Kuki” or “Kuki-Zo” in material linked to the investigation, despite the organisation maintaining that they were Thadou and leaders of the TBAI.
The Thadou body said the TBAI is an independent Thadou Christian institution and not a Kuki church or organisation.
TIM has formally asked the NIA to identify the victims as Thadou and correct what it described as “mislabelling”. It said the agency had refused to do so.
The organisation questioned whether the classification of the victims could affect the investigation’s understanding of the motive behind the killings.
TIM said it was concerned that identifying the victims as Kuki or Kuki-Zo could obscure the possibility that they were targeted because of their Thadou identity.
The Thadou body urged the NIA to establish the motive behind the killings and identify and prosecute those responsible.
The NIA and other authorities have not been quoted in the statement on the allegations raised by TIM.