Imphal-Ukhrul road killings draw widespread condemnations
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 19 2026: The TM Kasom ambush carried out Kuki militants in broad daylight yesterday that killed two civilians including a retired Army man has drawn strong condemnations from the public and many organisations.

The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO), Zeliangrong Union (AMN), World Meetei Council (WMC), Federation of Hao-mee (FoH), Salaai Kanba Lup (CC) and others, in separate statements, have called on the Government to crackdown on Kuki militants and arrest the perpetrators of the attack.

In a letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand today, the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) asserted that the attack was not random but a well-coordinated and deliberate ethnic targeting of innocent Naga civilians, aimed at reigniting communal tension and destabilising the region.

It alleged that the attack was carried out by Kuki militants operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, and aided by illegal immigrant elements, and condemned attempts by Kukis groups to distort facts, spread misinformation, and falsely attribute blame to other communities.

"Such narratives are dangerous, irres- ponsible, and appear to be deliberate attempts to shield the perpetrators and mislead public opinion".

The "heinous terrorist ambush" killed Chinaoshang Shokwungnao (45), a retired Havildar of the Naga Regiment, Indian Army and Yaruingam Vashum (42), both residents of Ukhrul district, and injured several others.

"What is deeply shocking and unacceptable is the complete failure and silence of the security forces.

Despite the presence of security escorts up to Litan and the proximity to an Indian Army outpost (just 1.5 km away), there was no timely response or intervention while the militants carried out sustained firing on defenceless civilians," MNYO said, asserting it views this as a "gross negligence and a serious lapse" in the security apparatus in place in sensitive areas.

Repeated incidents of inaction by security forces have emboldened armed groups to operate with impunity, it added.

The MNYO, in its letter, urged the Government to launch an immediate, independent, and time-bound investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure swift identification, arrest, and prosecution of all perpetrators involved in the "terrorist ambush".

It urged the Government to "fix accountability of security forces deployed in the area through a transparent inquiry into their failure to prevent and respond to the attack".

Security along NH-202 (Imphal-Ukhrul Road) must be strengthened by establishing permanent security outposts and regular Road Opening Parties (ROPs) to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of civilians, it said.

The Government must immediately disarm all armed groups operating outside the framework of SoO, and strictly monitor those under SoO to prevent misuse of the agreement for violent activities, it said.

Further, there must be urgent and decisive combing operations in all militant-infested areas of Yaolen Kuki Village, Patleyao, Mongkot Chepu, Shangkai, Zalenbung, Molnom, Leplen, Tingpibung, and surrounding regions to dismantle militant infrastructure and illegal arms networks, it said.

Adequate security forces must be deployed to safeguard vulnerable Naga villages, particularly Sinakeithei, which remains under constant threat due to its proximity to militant-dominated areas, MNYO added.

"Any continued targeting of innocent civilians along ethnic lines will have grave and far reaching consequences.

The patience of the Naga people must not be mistaken for weakness," MNYO cautioned, appealing to all Naga tribes, villages, and civil society organisations to remain united and vigilant.

While appealing to people of all communities to maintain calm and exercise restraint, the Zeliangrong Union (AMN) said the Government must initiate a time-bound, transparent and impartial investigation into the case, and ensure adequate protection for civilians along vulnerable areas of the NH.

Condemning the attack in the strongest terms, the World Meetei Council (WMC) also raised the demand for a swift and impartial investigation and urged the Government to fix "accountability for lapses in security arrangements, particularly concerning the withdrawal of the escort before the attack" occurred near TM Kasom.

Vehemently condemning the TM Kasom attack and Tronglaobi attacks, the Federation of Haomee (FoH) appealed to the Government to crack down on SoO Kuki militants.

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