Armed nationalists in India’s Manipur region, members of the Naga separatist movement (which wants for Nagaland to separate from India) shot and murdered a Christian leader, as we read in India Today:

The Kuki Christian Leaders’ Forum (KCLF) has strongly condemned the killing of Govajang Baptist Church Secretary Haokholal Singsit, describing it as a brutal murder that reflects the deteriorating security situation in Manipur. The organisation also appealed to Christian communities across the state to reject ethnic violence and work towards dialogue, reconciliation and lasting peace.

Expressing profound shock and sorrow, the Forum said Singsit, who also served as Treasurer of the Men’s Society under Kuki Baptist Convention Parish No. 6, was shot dead on July 11 at around 4 pm while working in a paddy field with his wife in Govajang village of Kangpokpi district.

KCLF alleged that the incident was the ninth killing of an innocent Kuki civilian by what it described as “Manipur Naga armed groups” since the May 13 killing of three members of a Kuki peace mission—Rev. V. Sitlhou, Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou and Rev. Kaigoulun Lhouvum. The Forum added that six other civilians had also been killed before the May 13 incident.

Describing the killing as a grave violation of the sanctity of human life, the Forum said innocent civilians, particularly farmers, were being deprived of their fundamental right to live with dignity and security. It further stated that violence carried out “in the name of Christ” was a distortion of the Gospel and fundamentally opposed to Christian teachings on peace, justice, reconciliation and respect for human life.

The Forum urged the Government of Manipur, the Centre and security agencies to take immediate and decisive measures to stop what it termed the systematic killing of innocent civilians and the forced dispossession of villages.

Notice that the statement from the Kuki Christian Leaders’ Forum describes the violence as being done “in the name of Christ”. Many nationalists come in the name of Christ, but will not hesitate to murder other Christians. This is because their goal is not Christ, but power.