UNC, TNL mince no words in decrying attack
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, May 29 2026: The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly condemned the killing of a driver in an ambush near Yaolen today.

This is the third major attack along the Imphal-Ukhrul-Kamjong stretch since February 2026, the Naga body stated.

It called the attack cowardly, and said that the NH-202 is a vital artery for Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, and therefore the Government must deploy adequate security forces and implement a permanent security framework to ensure safe passage for commuters, goods carriers, and Government officials.

UNC, TNL mince no words in decrying attack

Recounting today's firing incident, the UNC said, "At TM Kasom village, villagers were fired upon indiscriminately by suspected Kuki militants while digging a grave at the village cemetery" .

For fear of being shot, villagers could not complete the burial rites.

The deceased had to be laid to rest at the village homestead instead of the cemetery, it said.

Armed groups of Kukis have repeatedly used the area to launch attacks on civilians.

The stretch where repeated attacks have occurred should be sanitized permanently, it said.

"Continued inaction will only embolden such elements.

The Government must act decisively to protect innocent lives," it added.

It also condemned Kuki militants firing on farmers at a Naga village in Khoupum subdivision on May 26 .

Expressing condolences to the bereaved family of the driver, Nitish Kumar, the UNC said it is praying for the speedy recovery of Constable Disingam Maringmei.

The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has also urged both the Central and State Governments to, neutralise the Kuki narco-terrorists and reopen National Highway-202.In a statement, the TNL expressed outrage and frustration over the continued "savagery and brazen criminality" of Kuki groups, stating that they have shown complete disregard for human life.

It also criticised the inaction of Central security forces deployed in the area, stating that such inaction has emboldened the Kuki groups to carry out attacks with impunity.

According to TNL, Kuki narco terrorists positioned between Yaolen and Mongkot Chetpu opened indiscriminate fire on FCI trucks transporting essential commodities along NH-202 today.

In the attack, truck driver Nitish Kumar (57), a resident of Hooghly district in West Bengal was killed while a Manipur police personnel, identified as Disingam Mringmei (35) of Litan post, also sustained grievous injuries.

The TNL said that prior to the incident, the same Kuki narco terrorist group fired upon villagers of TM Kasom while they were digging graves for a burial ceremony.

It added that video evidence of the incident exists no matter how many times the 'shameless' try to pin the blame elsewhere.

TNL accused the Kuki groups of showing "utter disregard" even for funeral rites and the sanctity of death.

Simultaneously, heavy firing was directed toward Litan, forcing residents to flee as bullets struck civilian homes, it added.

The TNL strongly criticised the Central security forces stationed between Litan and TM Kasom, accusing them of remaining silent and inactive despite repeated attacks.

Their failure to intervene, the TNL stated, has raised serious concerns among the public regarding the effectiveness and sincerity of the deployed forces.

The committee further stated that for more than three months, armed Kuki groups have illegally blocked NH-202, extorting civilians and using the stretch between Yaolen and Mongkot Chepu to carry out armed attacks.

Despite repeated appeals and condemnations directed at both the State and Central Governments, the situation has continued to deteriorate, it said.

Demanding immediate intervention, the TNL urged the Governments to fulfil their constitutional responsibility to protect innocent citizens.

It called for urgent measures to clear the highway, restore normalcy, and take action against the armed groups responsible for the violence.

The TNL warned that any further loss of life resulting from continued inaction would rest solely on the authorities concerned.