Guwahati: Four Tangkhul Naga civilians were shot dead in a suspected sniper attack by unidentified armed men while they were travelling in two vehicles on NH-202 in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday afternoon.The latest incident could have far reaching consequences as it happened in Ukhrul, which is the heartland of Tangkhul Nagas in Manipur and is also home of Th Muivah, some experts believeThe attack took place at New Heaven, along the highway connecting Imphal with Ukhrul, before the victims reached Litan to join a govt-provided security escort. Travel along the Imphal-Ukhrul route requires civilians to join security convoys through a 20-km sensitive stretch between Mahadev and Litan.It was the second attack at the same location. On April 18, two Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed in an ambush.The deceased were identified as Kapangkhui Raihing and her son Haoleila Raihing of Shangshak village, who were travelling in a one vehicle, and siblings August Ngalung and Khanmila Ngalung of Tashar village, who were in another car.Manipur Police said the attack was carried out by “unknown armed miscreants” and that all four victims sustained fatal bullet injuries and died on the spot.“Additional security forces comprising Manipur Police, BSF, Army and Assam Rifles have been rushed to the area to reinforce security and prevent any further untoward incidents. Search operations have been launched in and around the area of the incident to trace and apprehend those involved,” the police said.The killings came a day after a 42-year-old Kuki woman was shot dead and two men were injured during a gunfight between rival groups near Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi and Kailengjang in neighbouring Senapati district.The latest attack has triggered competing allegations and demands for accountability. The Indigenous People’s Forum, Manipur, alleged that the highway ambush was part of a continuing “war against indigenous people of Manipur” by “Kuki narco-terrorist elements”. It sought an impartial probe, including into possible security force collusion or negligence.The Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, condemned the attack but denied any Kuki-Zo involvement. It warned against collective blame and selective security operations in Kuki-Zo areas and demanded a time-bound investigation and equal security for all communities.It also sought scrutiny of security escort arrangements and possible links to the wider conflict involving NSCN factions.Meanwhile, life was partially affected in Kangpokpi as the Committee on Tribal Unity enforced a 48-hour shutdown from midnight on Thursday to protest the killing of the Kuki woman. Markets and business establishments remained closed, while buses and autorickshaws stayed off the roads. Educational institutions and emergency services were exempted.Congress legislature party chief Keisham Meghachandra questioned the govt’s accountability, saying five people had been killed in 24 hours. He condemned the killings of both Kuki and Naga civilians and said peace could not be achieved without justice and a roadmap to end the conflict.The Naga-Kuki conflict since Feb has claimed 71 lives — 38 from the Kuki community, including two pregnant women, and 33 Nagas, according to the figures provided. Separately, more than 300 people from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities were killed, 49 reported missing and over 60,000 displaced in the conflict between the two communities from 2023 to 2025.
