Senapati, 19 May 2026: A ten-member team of church leaders representing the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC), the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI), the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF) and the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) met leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) and other civil society organisations at the UNC office in Senapati district today.
The meeting discussed the prevailing tense situation between the two tribal communities in the region. Deliberations were also held on ways to defuse the present crisis arising out of the hostage incident following the killing of three church leaders on May 13, 2026.
Following the interaction, the church leaders strongly appealed for the unconditional release of hostages on both sides on humanitarian grounds.
Speaking to the media, Rev. Dr. Namseng R. Marak, Secretary General, CBCNEI, said that this was a difficult moment for the affected families and appealed to all communities to exercise restraint, remain patient and move forward in the spirit of forgiveness and peace.
He stated that the church leaders had already appealed to both the Naga and Kuki communities and expressed hope that positive outcomes would emerge from the discussions held with UNC leaders. He also urged people not to believe in rumours or unverified social media posts and called upon all communities to uphold brotherhood and humanity for the restoration of peace in Manipur.
AC. Thotso, Member Secretary, Working Committee, UNC, said that the Baptist leaders had brought a joint appeal from the Baptist World Alliance, Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, CBCNEI and MBC. He welcomed the peace initiative taken by the church leaders and stated that the matter would be considered by the appropriate decision-making bodies of the organisation. He reiterated that peace can prevail only when truth is acknowledged.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh met the church leaders yesterday at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and appreciated their efforts towards bringing peace and harmony among communities in the State. Another Church leaders also visited the victim families in Keithelmanbi and Damdei village in Kangpokpi district to offer their condolences.
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