The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN – IM) has denied allegations circulating on social media linking its cadres to the May 13 ambush in which three Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI) church leaders were killed near Kotzim in Kangpokpi district, Manipur.
In a statement issued by its Ministry of Information and Publicity on October 3, the NSCN said it had no role or connection with the incident and urged the public and media to verify information before sharing unverified claims.
The organisation also rejected claims linking a person identified in the social media posts as MS Chekneichung Chiru alias Achung to the NSCN. It said no such individual was part of its rank and file and described the claim as false.
The three church leaders killed in the incident were identified as Rev Dr Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev Kaigoulun Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou.
The NSCN said it supported a transparent and impartial investigation into the killings and expressed support for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has taken over the probe.
The organisation also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and the wider Christian community, while calling for the actual perpetrators of the ambush to be brought to justice.
The NSCN further warned against the circulation of unauthenticated information linking the organisation to the incident and said it would take necessary measures against attempts to malign its image.