Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh lauded the role being played by church leaders in trying to defuse the present crisis arising from the hostage situation following the killing of three church leaders on May 13 at Zero Point between Kotlen and Kotzim in Kangpokpi district.A 10-member team of church leaders representing the Council for Baptist Churches in Northeast India and the Manipur Baptist Convention called on the chief minister to discuss the tense situation between the two tribal communities. The meeting was also attended by Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho.The church leaders volunteered to broker peace between the two communities. Singh said he was touched by the church leaders meeting him and offering their help to restore peace. The state government lauded their efforts and encouraged them to engage with both sides.The church leaders will further split into two teams to work towards peace. One team will travel to Kangpokpi district, while the other will visit Senapati district. The church leaders strongly feel that hostages on both sides should be released immediately on humanitarian grounds.The team travelling to Kangpokpi will meet the family members of the three deceased church leaders to offer condolences. The state government has assured ex gratia support for the three families. The team will then speak to Kuki church leaders in Kangpokpi in an effort to restore peace.The team planning to visit Senapati district will meet Naga church leaders and members of Naga civil society organisations to discuss the prevailing tension and hostage crisis.