IMPHAL/CHURACHANDPUR: Two persons, including a retired Indian Army soldier, were killed and three others injured in a militant ambush on NH-202 — Manipur’s new troubled spot in Ukhrul district — on Saturday afternoon. There is no official confirmation yet on the identity of the attackers.Police said the attack took place around 2:30pm between Leingangching and TM Kasom when armed assailants opened fire on a convoy travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul. One driver died on the spot and another critically injured victim later succumbed to injuries.The dead were identified as Chinaoshang Shokwungnao (45), a retired Naga Regiment soldier from Tashar village, and Yaruingam Vashum (42) of Kharasom CC village.The attack came a day after chief minister Y Khemchand Singh visited Ukhrul and met Tangkhul Naga and Kuki villagers, appealing for peace amid violence between the two communities since Feb.Khemchand condemned the killings as “an attack on innocent lives” and said the case would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He added that ex gratia would be provided to the victims’ families. The CM added that security forces have launched operations to track down those responsible.The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) alleged that the ambush was carried out by cadres of Kuki militant groups under a suspension of operation (SoO) agreement with the govt, accusing security forces of “apathetic silence” and questioning whether they were “incompetent or complicit.”“The victims were part of a group of passengers, including women, children, and elderly persons, travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul under security escort. The attack was carried out by Kuki SoO cadres using snipers and long-range weapons shortly after the security escort had withdrawn,” it said.The TNL demanded immediate combing operations in Yaolen and adjoining Kuki villages, holding both state and central govts responsible for the deaths.The Kuki-Zo Council denied involvement and urged the media and the public to verify facts before assigning blame. It called for a fair and transparent investigation to prevent speculation and ensure accountability.
