Four Killed, One Injured and One Missing in IT Road Ambush; UNC Declares 12-Hour Total Shutdown

Four persons belonging to the Naga community were killed and one person sustained injuries in an alleged ambush by unidentified armed miscreants along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road in Kangpokpi district on Thursday morning. One person is also reported missing following the incident.

The incident took place at around 9:30 a.m. between Makui Ashang and Makui Thanamba along the IT Road, when unidentifed armed miscreants allegedly opened fire on a vehicle carrying members of the Naga community.

The victims were identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School from T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai, executive member of Makui Youth Club; Japou MK, student leader of Thonglang Akutpa; and Anil Wijunamai, executive member of Makui Youth Club.

Gaikamang Ringkangmai was injured in the attack, while Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority, is reportedly missing at the time of filing this report.

Following the incident, the United Naga Council (UNC) called for a 12-hour total shutdown across all Naga-inhabited areas and district headquarters on Friday to mourn the civilians killed in the incident and protest the killings along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district.

The shutdown, scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., has been called to express collective mourning, pay homage to the victims, and register strong condemnation of the cold-blooded killings. However, emergency services and candidates/personnel involved in Board and Common Examinations will be exempted.

In a release, the UNC stated, “It was reported that at around 8:30 a.m. today, armed Kuki militants under SoO, belonging to KNF (P), KNF and KRA, under the command of Jangboi Kipgen, Home Secretary, KNF/UPF, ambushed and attacked innocent Naga civilians between Makui Ashang and Makui Thanamba village, an area that serves as an important lifeline for Naga communities living along the IT Road.”

The UNC demanded that the concerned authorities immediately intervene, book the perpetrators, and deliver justice at the earliest, while adding that such acts of terror must not go unpunished.

The UNC also demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case, describing it as a “heinous crime.”

The Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) also called for the immediate shutdown of all shops and business establishments in Senapati district headquarters town in protest against the incident.

While condemning the incident, ANSAM endorsed and supported the one-day Genna announced by the United Naga Council.