Manipur: Pastor Sitlhou’s son forgives the killers as a gesture of peace

The appeal made at the funerals of the three Baptist leaders killed in recent days during renewed clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Naga tribal groups: “I forgive those who killed my father in the name of the Lord and in the broader interest of peace.” The slain pastor had worked tirelessly for reconciliation between the two groups. Concern remains for six people still being held hostage.

Imphal (AsiaNews) - Haominlun Sitlhou, the son of Rev. Vumthang Sitlhou – one of the three Baptist leaders killed in recent days in an ambush in India’s troubled Manipur region – has publicly forgiven those responsible for the brutal murder of his father.

The statement was made during the funeral service for the three religious leaders who were shot dead on 13 May whilst returning from a religious gathering in Churachandpur. Thousands of mourners gathered on the campus of the Thadou Baptist Association India in Motbung to pay their last respects.

During the funeral, Haominlun Sitlhou addressed the grieving crowd with words that many observers described as extraordinary for both their courage and their profound spiritual conviction. He declared: “I forgive those who killed my father in the name of the Lord and in the broader interest of peace.”

Haominlun called for reconciliation among the communities affected by the ongoing violence in Manipur. He urged people to reject hatred and to continue the mission of peace to which his father had dedicated his life.

Rev. Vumthang Sitlhou was a well-known figure who acted as a bridge between the region’s tribal Christian communities. According to some sources, he had recently taken part in peace consultations involving Kuki-Zo and Naga Christian leaders and advocated dialogue in the context of growing ethnic tensions in Manipur which today see the two tribal groups clashing over control of the hills, a long-standing problem in this region exacerbated by three years of severe tensions with the Meitei, the predominantly Hindu population living in the plains around Imphal.

During his address, Haominlun appealed to the main Naga civil organisations, including the United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) and the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), asking them to help secure the release of six hostages who are still being held in connection with the recent unrest.

He described these steps as necessary to restore peace and humanity to the region.

The killing of Rev. Sitlhou has sparked grief and mourning across community divisions, not least because of his personal history. His mother belonged to the Rongmei Naga community, one of the groups whose relationship with the Kuki-Zo people has been deeply marked by tensions. His father, the late Pastor Pakho Sitlhou, had dedicated much of his ministry to the Rongmei Naga community and had translated Kuki gospel songs into the Rongmei language.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Rev. Sitlhou had been one of the most active promoters of dialogue and reconciliation between Kuki and Naga Christians in Manipur.

• India
• Manipur
• Kuki-Zo
• Naga
• Battisti