Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has strongly condemned the ambush carried out by unidentified armed miscreants on a goods convoy along National Highway-202 between Leingangching and TS Kasom under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district on Friday forenoon.
The attack claimed the life of truck driver Nitish Das, 65, a resident of Hooghly district in West Bengal. He reportedly succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during the firing incident. The truck involved in the attack bore registration number WB15C-2403.
A police constable identified as Disingam Maringmei, 34, from Sangaiprou in Imphal West district, also sustained a bullet injury to his knee during the ambush.
The Chief Minister expressed deep condolences over the death of the truck driver and described the assault as a “cowardly act” intended to worsen the already tense situation in the state.
He stated that targeting a goods vehicle and killing a driver responsible for transporting essential commodities reflected an attempt by vested interest groups to derail ongoing efforts to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The ambush occurred near TM Kasom village when armed miscreants allegedly opened fire on a convoy of commercial trucks travelling under security escort along the Imphal–Ukhrul highway.
According to police sources, a joint team comprising personnel from the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Rapid Action Force, and Manipur Police had escorted around 15 to 20 commercial trucks that were stranded earlier due to a blockade at Shangkai village near Litan.
Security personnel had reportedly used tear gas shells to disperse protesters blocking the highway before the convoy resumed movement.
The Chief Minister said search and cordon operations have been launched in nearby areas to apprehend those responsible for the attack and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured police constable.
