NSCN (IM) has strongly refuted “fabricated news items” items being circulated on various social media platforms, falsely alleging involvement in the tragic May 13 ambush in Manipur's Kangpokpi district
DIMAPUR — The NSCN (IM) has strongly refuted “fabricated news items” items being circulated on various social media platforms, falsely alleging the involvement of its cadres in the tragic May 13 ambush near Kotzim in Kangpokpi district of Manipur, in which three Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI) church leaders were killed.
The three church leaders killed in the incident were Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the NSCN (IM) said it had “no knowledge, connection, or role” in the armed ambush and described the allegation on social media as “baseless, malicious, and fabricated”.
The NSCN also denied that an individual named MS Chekneichung Chiru, alias Achung, was part of its rank and file, describing the name and details circulated on social media in connection with the organisation as “entirely fictitious, uncalled for, and defamatory.”
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It alleged that the social media posts were intended to misdirect the investigation and create communal disharmony. It urged the public, media organisations and social media users to verify information before sharing unauthenticated reports.
The NSCN said it supported the National Investigation Agency’s formal takeover of the investigation and called for a “transparent, unbiased, and thorough investigation” to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
It also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and the wider Christian community over the killings.
The organisation said it reserved the right to respond to what it described as attempts to malign it through “fake news”.