UKHRUL: Amid the escalating ethnic crisis in Manipur, particularly in the Liangmai Naga areas of Kangpokpi district and Tangkhul areas of Kamjong district, Director of Miracle Healing Prayer Ministry, Dimapur, Nagaland, Nangba Konyak, visited Makhan village to meet and pray with the families of the six men who were brutally killed by Kuki armed groups abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13.
“I brought nothing for you, but I came here representing the Konyak people to pray with you and to show our solidarity and concern during this difficult time,” Nangba Konyak said while handing an envelope to the displaced villagers on Thursday.
He appealed to the families of those killed on May 13, who are temporarily staying at Makhan village, to forgive those responsible for the killings.
“I can understand the mental trauma you are facing, but as Christians, we must learn to forgive those who persecute us. This is the true essence of Christianity,” Konyak said.
Nangba Konyak hails from Aboi village in Mon district, Nagaland, near the Indo-Myanmar border.
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Apparently moved by the plight of the displaced Liangmai people, particularly the bereaved families, Konyak also appealed to the Nagas of Nagaland to extend their solidarity and support.
“As Naga Christians, we should come forward to help when our brothers are in trouble. Brotherhood among Nagas should not remain just lip service but be demonstrated through action. I appeal to all churches in Nagaland to stand in solidarity during this difficult time,” Konyak said.
Konyak travelled from the extreme northern part of Nagaland, taking two days to reach Imphal, where he prayed with the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Makhan village and visited those admitted to the Psychiatric Ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal.
At least 170 internally displaced Liangmai people, mostly women and children from Konsakhul village, are currently being sheltered at the Makhan village community hall.
It may be recalled that three Thadou pastors were killed in an ambush by unknown armed militants on May 13 while returning from Churachandpur after attending a programme. Soon after news of the killings spread, 18 Liangmai Nagas from Konsakhul village were abducted at Leilon village while returning from a wedding. In retaliation, 28 Kukis were also held captive by Nagas in Senapati district after news of the abduction reached them.
Twelve women and children were released after being held captive for a day. However, the six men, including two pastors, were separated from the women, and their mutilated bodies were handed over only on June 10.
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