Imphal, April 18 (NationPress) - In a tragic incident, two individuals from the Naga community were fatally shot along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) in Manipur on Saturday when unidentified armed assailants targeted vehicles en route to the Ukhrul district.

A senior police official in Imphal has confirmed the identities of the victims as Chinaoshang Shokwungnao (45) and Yaruingam Vashum (42). Shokwungnao was the son of Ruichumhao Shokwungnao, a retired personnel from the Naga Regiment, and hailed from Tashar village, while Vashum was the son of Thuimi Vashum from Kharasom village.

In response to the attack, additional security forces, led by a senior police officer, have been deployed to the area to conduct a combing operation aimed at apprehending those responsible.

The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long, the principal representative body of the Tangkhul Naga community, expressed profound outrage regarding the assault on civilians near Yaolen Kuki village. The committee accused Kuki militants—currently under a Suspension of Operation agreement with the government—of carrying out the attack.

Both victims reportedly succumbed to their injuries on the scene. “This grave incident is beyond words, showcasing the inhumanity of the Kukis, who have surpassed the limits of moral conscience. Since the onset of the conflict between the Tangkhul Nagas and the Kukis in early February, Kuki militants have been attacking civilians openly in areas such as Litan, Laho, Sinakeithei, Sikibung, and Thawai,” the statement read.

The attack occurred while passengers—including women, children, and ill individuals—were traveling in separate vehicles from Imphal to Ukhrul. The convoy had safely navigated through the villages of Mahadev and Litan with security escorts, but the assault transpired shortly after the escort team returned towards Litan.

Six vehicles were involved in the convoy and were reportedly targeted by militants utilizing snipers and other advanced long-range firearms, as per the claims of the Tangkhul Naga Long.

The statement also criticized the “apathetic silence” of both state and central security forces, alleging that their inaction has empowered militants to execute such attacks.

“The failure of the security forces to eliminate illegal militants and conduct area control raises serious doubts about their competence or possible complicity,” it stated further.

This incident occurred just a day after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Ukhrul and promised the provision of Road Opening Patrols and security escorts along the highway.

The Tangkhul Naga Long expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness and trustworthiness of the state government's assurances. The organization urged the state government to initiate immediate combing operations in Yaolen and adjacent Kuki-inhabited areas.

In the meantime, the Kuki-Zo Council, representing the Kuki-Zo tribal community, expressed serious concern regarding media reports implicating Kuki militants in the killings. “We categorically deny any involvement of Kuki-Zo individuals or groups in this unfortunate event,” the council stated.

It further claimed that, based on on-ground insights, the incident seems to stem from tensions among specific factional groups, rather than being linked to any Kuki-Zo organization. The council criticized the pattern of placing blame on the Kuki-Zo community without thorough verification, stating, “Such baseless accusations distort facts and misrepresent the Kuki-Zo community, particularly during incidents involving the Meitei or Naga communities in Manipur.”