Four Naga civilians were killed when a group of heavily armed Kuki militants opened fire on a pick-up mini truck along the Imphal-Tamei IT Road, between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga village, roughly 20 km from the Kangpokpi district headquarters. The attack occurred at around 8:30 am.
Victims Identified
The victims were travelling from Chawangkining to Makui when they came under indiscriminate firing. The dead have been identified as Wisobou Charenamei, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority; Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and Principal of Right Path School, Tumuyon Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunmai, executive member of the Makui Youth Club; and Anil Wijunmai, also an executive member of the Makui Youth Club. All four sustained multiple bullet wounds. Three were killed on the spot, while Wisobou Charenamei went missing briefly before his body was recovered. Charenamei was also a former vice president of the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC).
Two others, Gaikamang Ringkangmai of Thonglang Akutpa and a student identified as Japou MK, survived the attack with bullet injuries.
Security Response
Central security forces moved into the area and launched search operations following the ambush, but no arrests had been reported. The bodies of the deceased and the injured could not be evacuated until late afternoon. According to a Senapati correspondent, security forces and authorities arranged for evacuation to Senapati District Hospital using Casspir vehicles and ambulances.
The IT Road has seen repeated clashes between Kuki and Naga groups in recent months, frequently resulting in casualties.
Condemnation from Naga Bodies
The United Naga Council (UNC), Joint Tribal Council (JTC) Manipur, and the Makui Village Authority condemned the attack. A press release from the UNC alleged that the ambush was carried out by Kuki militants operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, belonging to the KNFP, KNF, and KRA, under the command of Jangboi Kipgen, identified by the UNC as home secretary of the KNF/UPF.
The JTC Manipur statement criticised the deployment of CoBRA units and security forces, saying these actions had “merely served to obstruct democratic agitation.” It added: “Instead of protecting the Naga populace, the security forces have been used to crack down on our village defence volunteers. We have witnessed the Government arresting Naga leaders while Kuki narco-terrorists are left to repeat their murderous attacks with impunity.” The JTC further alleged that “the Government continues to tighten security for one side while the other side continues to be decimated,” calling it “a policy of appeasement that is costing innocent lives.”
Demands and Shutdown Call
The UNC, JTC Manipur, and the Makui Village Authority have called on authorities to intervene, book the perpetrators, and deliver justice. The UNC has demanded the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the killings.
The UNC also announced a one-day Genna shutdown across all Naga areas and district headquarters from 6 am to 6 pm on August 28, during which all vehicular movement, shops, business establishments, and government and private institutions will remain closed. Emergency services and board or common examinations have been exempted.