IT Road Ambush Victims Laid to Rest; Naga Leaders Demand Justice

Four Naga individuals allegedly killed in an ambush along the Imphal-Tamei (IT) Road in Kangpokpi district on August 27 were laid to rest at Chawangkining village on Friday, following a condolence service held at Senapati District Headquarters.

The victims were reportedly travelling between Makui Ashang and Makui Thanamba villages when suspected armed miscreants opened fire on their vehicle at around 8:30 am. Four people were killed in the incident, while another person was injured and one was reported missing.

The bodies were brought to Senapati District Hospital on Thursday after security personnel reportedly encountered difficulties in retrieving them from the incident site.

The condolence service, titled “Condolence Service in Honour of Our Fallen Heroes,”was jointly organised by the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Peoples’ Organisation (NPO), Senapati District Women’s Association (SDWA) and Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA).

The programme included a solidarity hymn, invocation, laying of wreaths, an account of the incident and condolence messages from Naga civil society organisations.

In its condolence message, the United Naga Council (UNC) expressed “heartfelt condolences” and “profound sorrow and anguish” over the deaths, describing the four victims as Naga martyrs. The apex Naga body said the continued killing of Nagas had “crossed all limits and cannot be tolerated any longer.”

The UNC called on the Naga community to remain vigilant and prepared to face emerging challenges without panic or resorting to mob violence. It said the ongoing conflict had become a “national issue” requiring serious attention and responsibility, warning that continued violence could lead to further displacement, destruction of infrastructure and humanitarian suffering.

The apex Naga body also said the deaths of the four civilians would not be in vain and that their sacrifices and legacy would remain in the collective memory of the Naga people.

Speaking to the media after attending the condolence service, NPF Manipur State President and MLA Awangbou Newmai expressed condolences to the bereaved families and demanded justice for the victims.

Newmai urged Kuki leaders to condemn the violence and called for accountability if any armed group operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement is found to have been involved in the attack.

He alleged the involvement of KNF-P and said those responsible should face punishment according to law. He also appealed to the Naga community to remain united and continue pursuing justice through peaceful means.

Newmai further said the safety of Naga civilians travelling along the IT Road has become a serious concern following the incident and added that the matter had been taken up with the concerned authorities.