Rifts between the Meitei people and hill tribes, because of political issues, have been longstanding, but in a disagreement on 15 December over the formation of a new district in Lokchow, near Tengnoupal, three security personnel were killed by a Naga insurgency group and Meitei Hindus called a strike across Manipur.
On 17 December, locals attacked a church which is attended by a large Naga congregation, the Manipur Baptist Church Centre (MBCC). It was pelted with stones, glass was broken, and the gate was damaged. A poster was left, warning: ‘No one is allowed to worship and celebrate Christmas without prior permission.’
Threats
Nearby, the Tangkhul Baptist Church Imphal, which is less than two miles from MBCC, was warned by the same attackers that if they conducted worship services, the church would be burnt down.
