Church Leaders Launch Peace Initiative to Ease Kuki-Zo–Naga Tensions in Manipur

Imphal, July 15, 2026: Church leaders have stepped into the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, with a delegation of Kuki-Zo community representatives travelling to Mizoram to seek the support of influential Christian leaders in facilitating dialogue with the Tangkhul Naga community following a fresh outbreak of violence.

The initiative comes in the wake of the killing of six Naga civilians in Kangpokpi district, an incident that has heightened tensions between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities. With earlier efforts at direct engagement failing to make progress, Kuki-Zo leaders are now looking to the Church as a trusted intermediary capable of rebuilding confidence between the two sides.

The delegation, comprising members of the Kuki Zonal Council (KZC) and senior church leaders, met leaders of the Presbyterian Church and other Christian bodies in Aizawl. They appealed to the churches in Mizoram to encourage their counterparts in Manipur and Nagaland to facilitate dialogue between the Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul Naga communities.

According to the delegation, previous attempts to initiate talks with the United Naga Council did not yield results, prompting them to seek the intervention of church leaders, who continue to command significant moral authority across the region.

Churches in Northeast India have historically played an important role in conflict resolution and community reconciliation, often acting as neutral platforms for dialogue during periods of unrest.

The Kuki-Zo delegation expressed hope that church leaders would help create an environment conducive to formal discussions aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further violence.

Alongside the peace initiative, Kuki civil society organisations renewed their appeal to the Union Government to ensure equal justice for all communities affected by the prolonged conflict.

Kuki Zonal Council spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said the Kuki-Zo community had also suffered significant losses during the violence, alleging that 15 members of the community had been killed and 14 villages destroyed in attacks by armed groups. He maintained that while the recent killings of Naga civilians warranted a thorough investigation, the suffering of Kuki-Zo families should receive equal attention from the authorities.

Community leaders urged the Centre to conduct impartial investigations into all incidents and ensure that justice is delivered without discrimination.

Civil society groups have also reiterated their call for an early political settlement, arguing that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security measures alone. They stressed that sustained dialogue involving all stakeholders remains essential to addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and rebuilding trust among communities.

The church-led initiative has been welcomed by many as a timely effort to reopen channels of communication at a time of heightened mistrust. While the outcome of the mediation remains uncertain, community leaders and church representatives hope the intervention will lay the groundwork for reconciliation and a durable peace in Manipur.

Courtesy Indian Express

Picture Courtesy : The Indian Express