Four Nagas killed in suspected vehicle ambush on Manipur highway
The victims were travelling towards Imphal when they were targeted in a suspected sniper attack near New Heaven village.
Four Tangkhul Naga civilians were shot dead on Friday afternoon in a suspected ambush on National Highway 202 in Manipur's Ukhrul district, according to reports from Telegraph India and The Times of India. The victims were travelling in two vehicles towards Imphal when the incident occurred near New Heaven village at approximately 1:30 pm.
The deceased have been identified as Kapangkhui Raihing and her son Haoleila Raihing from Shangshak village, and siblings August Ngalung and Khanmila Ngalung from Tashar village. The Raihings were travelling in a Maruti Swift, while the Ngalungs were in a Bolero pickup. All four died at the scene from bullet injuries.
Manipur Police stated that unknown armed individuals carried out the attack. Additional security forces, including the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, and Manipur Police, have been deployed to the area to conduct search operations to find those responsible.
The Indigenous People’s Forum alleged the ambush was part of a war against indigenous people by Kuki narco-terrorist elements. Conversely, the working committee of the Kuki civil service organisations in Ukhrul (WCKCSOs-Ukhrul) denied any Kuki involvement and called for an impartial investigation into the motive and possible links to NSCN factions.
The killings follow a day of violence where a Kuki woman farmer was killed in firing near the Kangpokpi and Senapati border. Congress legislature party chief Keisham Meghachandra questioned the government's accountability following the deaths.