Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) on Thursday condemned the alleged ambush on Naga civilians along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district, in which four civilians were killed and another critically injured.
In a statement, the Naga apex body termed the incident a ‘barbaric and calculated attack’ on innocent Naga civilians belonging to the Liangmai community. According to the UNC, at around 8:30 am, armed Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO), belonging to KNF (P) and KRA under the command of Jangboi Kipgen, home secretary of 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.
This premeditated and cowardly act resulted in the tragic loss of four precious and promising young Naga lives, including the former vice-president of the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), leaving one critically injured and one still missing, it stated.
The four persons killed in the attack are Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of Chawangkining Village Authority and former vice-president of LNC, Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School, T.Khullen, Mariakdibou Wijunamai and Anil Wijunamai, executive members of the Makui Youth Club. Gaikamang Ringkangmai sustained critical injuries, while Japou MK, a student leader, miraculously escaped the attack, it said.
While expressing its profound sorrows and anguish over the loss of these precious lives, the UNC also voiced their strong resentment against the complete security failure leading to the death of four Naga civilians along IT Road. The UNC alleged that the incident appeared to be a sheer discriminatory security deployment by the government and letting loose Kuki militant under SoO who are under payroll of the government.
The Naga apex body further demand the concerned authorities to immediately intervene, book the perpetrators and deliver justice at the earliest.
Stating that such acts of terror must not go unpunished, the UNC demanded the concerned authorities for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
“The Naga people must seriously view this calculated escalation of the situation being stir up by the Kuki militants under the covert support of unseen forces. This is a direct challenge to peace, Indo-Naga peace process and to the very existence of Nagas in our ancestral lands. We must remain vigilant and stand to defend ourselves from such external threats,” stated the UNC.
Further expressing their collective mourning and paying homage to the fallen innocent Naga civilians, the UNC has declared a one-day observance of ‘Genna’ in all Naga areas and district headquarters with immediate effect from 6 am to 6 pm of August 28, 2026.
During this period of Genna, all vehicular movement, shops and business establishments, government offices, and private and government institutions will remain closed. However, emergency services and board or common examination will be exempted.