Naga Areas in Manipur Observe Shutdown After Deadly Ambush
Manipur's Naga areas observe a shutdown after four civilians were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi district, prompting demands for a special investigation.
A day after four Liangmai Naga civilians were killed in an alleged ambush by Kuki extremist groups, Naga-inhabited areas across Manipur observed a complete shutdown on Friday. The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Naga organisations in the state, had called for a one-day 'Genna'—a period of strict prohibition and community rest—to mourn the loss and protest the incident.
The victims were gunned down on Thursday morning on a village road between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga villages in the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district. They were travelling from Makui village towards Senapati when they came under attack. A fifth person injured in the firing was admitted to a hospital in Senapati, while a student leader initially reported missing after the incident has since reached safety.
Security forces were initially unable to retrieve the bodies on Thursday due to a blockade at a village en route to the ambush site. The bodies were recovered on Friday morning and transported to Senapati, where a large number of people gathered to pay their respects. A.C. Thotso, secretary of the UNC’s Working Committee, stated that the last rites will be performed after a condolence service on Saturday.
The shutdown was total in the districts of Kamjong, Noney, Senapati, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul. The UNC has urged the state government to book the perpetrators and deliver swift justice, demanding the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case.
In response to the escalating situation, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called for sustained and collective efforts from all sections of society to overcome the prevailing trust deficit and restore lasting peace. Recalling the atmosphere of harmony that existed before the violence that erupted in May 2023, he noted that the situation has fundamentally changed. "Today, there are people who do not want peace. We have to identify and book them as soon as possible," he said.
In a separate incident on Friday afternoon, a bomb exploded at the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan Singh in Imphal West. No injuries were reported. The Chief Minister visited the site and condemned the blast.