A soldier of the Naga Regiment and a civilian were killed in a deadly ambush by suspected militants in Ukhrul district on Saturday afternoon, raising fresh concerns over security in the hill district.
The incident occurred barely a day after Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh visited the region and formally reopened the Ukhrul highway, a move aimed at restoring normalcy.
According to reports, the attack took place around 2:30 PM at TM Khasom under Litan police station. Suspected militants allegedly laid an ambush targeting vehicles travelling along the route, damaging at least five to six vehicles in the process.
The deceased soldier has been identified as 46-year-old SW Chinaoshang, a resident of Tashar village in Ukhrul district. The civilian victim was identified as Yaruingam Vashum of Kharasom village. Both belonged to the Tangkhul Naga community.
Sources said the victims were travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul when the militants opened fire. The incident is being seen as a major setback to ongoing efforts by the government to restore peace and ensure safe movement along highways in the state.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) issued a clarification denying any involvement of Kuki-Zo individuals or groups in the incident. In a statement, the council expressed concern over media reports linking Kuki militants to the attack and categorically rejected such claims.
The KZC stated that, based on ground-level inputs, the incident appears to be linked to tensions among certain factional groups rather than any Kuki-Zo organisation. It termed the attribution of blame without proper verification as “deeply regrettable.”
The council also alleged that such accusations have become a recurring pattern in Manipur whenever incidents involve Meitei or Naga communities, adding that it unfairly portrays the Kuki-Zo community in a negative light.
Urging restraint, the KZC called on social media users, media houses, civil society groups, and authorities to verify facts before making or publishing allegations against any community. It reiterated that the Kuki-Zo people have no role in the incident and appealed to all concerned to refrain from spreading misinformation.
The attack and subsequent developments highlight the fragile security situation in Manipur, even as efforts continue to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
