Imphal (Manipur), April 18: Two Naga civilians were gunned down in cold blood Saturday when unidentified assailants ambushed a six-vehicle convoy on NH-2 near Yaolen Kuki village, reigniting ethnic fears in Manipur just a day after the Chief Minister promised secured highways.
Police identified the dead as Chinaoshang Shokwungnao, 45, son of a retired Naga Regiment soldier from Tashar, and Yaruingam Vashum, 42, of Kharasom. Both died on the spot while women, children and ailing passengers were travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul. A senior police official said additional forces have rushed to the area and launched a combing operation to track the killers.
The Tangkhul Naga Long alleged the attack was carried out by Kuki cadres under the Suspension of Operation pact using snipers and long-range weapons. It said the firing started minutes after security escorts turned back at Litan, after the convoy had safely passed Mahadev and Litan under guard. The apex Tangkhul body called the strike “beyond human conscience” and slammed the “apathetic silence” of state and central forces, demanding immediate combing operations in Yaolen and nearby Kuki villages. It cited repeated attacks on civilians in Litan, Laho, Sinakeithei, Sikibung and Thawai since February.
The Kuki-Zo Council denied any involvement, stating it “categorically and unequivocally” rejects the charge. It said the incident appears tied to factional tensions and accused others of blaming Kukis without verification, calling it a pattern that “unfairly portrays the Kuki-Zo community in a negative light.”
The ambush came a day after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Ukhrul and assured Road Opening Patrols and security escorts along the route. The Tangkhul Naga Long said the attack raises “serious doubts” about the effectiveness of those assurances.
