Imphal, April 19 (NationPress) Following the tragic deaths of two individuals, including a former Indian Army personnel, a state of heightened tension has gripped Manipur's Ukhrul district for a second consecutive day. Security forces are actively engaged in combing operations aimed at capturing the militants responsible for this attack.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged at Litan police station against the suspected Kuki militants involved in the ambush targeting civilian vehicles at Roudei (T.M. Kasom village) on Saturday.

In response to the incident, additional security personnel were dispatched to the area immediately after the assault, and joint operations were ongoing on Sunday to locate those accountable.

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) issued a strong condemnation of the killings, describing the act as a blatant offense carried out by Kuki militants, allegedly functioning under a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the government.

The NSCN-IM's statement emphasized that such violent acts not only heighten tensions but also suggest a potential breakdown of the existing state mechanisms.

They further indicated that the Naga community might be forced to take all necessary defensive actions to protect their land and sovereignty.

“This is no longer a simple allegation. Numerous local reports and eyewitness accounts indicate possible collusion between Indian security forces and Kuki armed factions under the SoO pact, aimed at destabilizing the political climate in Nagalim and neighboring areas through proxy conflicts masked as ethnic struggles,” the statement added.

As per police reports, the two deceased, both from the Naga community, were shot dead along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) in Ukhrul district when unidentified gunmen opened fire on vehicles approaching the area.

The victims were identified as Chinaoshang Shokwungnao (45) and Yaruingam Vashum (42).

Authorities noted that over ten civilian vehicles traveling from Imphal to Ukhrul were ambushed from a nearby hill range during the attack.

In total, three passengers suffered serious gunshot wounds, with two subsequently succumbing to their injuries.

Since February, there has been ongoing armed conflict between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga factions in and around the Litan area of Ukhrul district.

Additionally, the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) has frequently been obstructed by armed groups amid the unrest.

Meanwhile, Manipur's Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced on Saturday that the state government has opted to transfer the investigation of the Ukhrul district shooting to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a comprehensive inquiry.

Expressing his condemnation of the incident through a social media post, the Chief Minister asserted that the NIA's involvement would guarantee a thorough investigation.

He also declared a compensation package for the families of the two deceased.

The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the leading body of the Tangkhul Naga community, voiced strong outrage over the heinous attack on civilians.

The organization accused Kuki militants, currently under the SoO agreement with the government, of perpetrating the attack.

Conversely, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), representing the Kuki-Zo tribal community, expressed serious concern regarding media allegations connecting Kuki militants to the incident.

“We categorically deny any involvement of Kuki-Zo individuals or groups in this regrettable event,” stated the KZC.

The council also suggested that, based on local insights, the incident seems to be associated with tensions among specific factional groups rather than any Kuki-Zo organization.