Two civilians were critically injured on April 26 after an Assam Rifles convoy rammed through a civil barricade at Talui village and personnel opened fire at Hoomi Vokngayar in Ukhrul district. Two FIRs have been sought at Ukhrul Police Station against 18 Assam Rifles Somsai post commandant
IMPHAL – Two civilians sustained critical injuries after an Assam Rifles convoy allegedly rammed through a civil barricade at Talui village and personnel opened indiscriminate fire at Hoomi Vokngayar in Ukhrul district on Saturday, April 26. The injured have been identified as Rose Vashum, aged 47, of Talui village, and Mashunphong Zingkhai, aged 32, of Hoomi village. Both were rushed to Ukhrul District Hospital in critical condition. Mashunphong is undergoing treatment and surgery at UDH, while Rose has been referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal due to her deteriorating condition.
According to a statement from the Working Committee Media Cell of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the sequence of events began at approximately 9:15 a.m., when women volunteers at Hoomi Vokngayar along the Ukhrul-Tadubi road stopped two vehicles — a Bolero Jeep and a van — carrying eight Assam Rifles personnel. Citing the district's sensitive security situation, the volunteers asked the personnel to produce identification and held them pending verification by the TNL Working Committee. Verification was underway and one vehicle had already been cleared to proceed when, at around 1:00 p.m., a Casspir belonging to Assam Rifles accompanied by other vehicles approached the entrance of Talui village, where women had erected a civil barricade. The Casspir drove straight through the barricade, scattering the women in panic. Rose Vashum suffered severe head injuries in the chaos and remains semi-conscious.
#BreakingNews
— SpeakNaga_X (@SpeakNaga_X) April 25, 2026
The Assam Riffles convoy forcefully running over peaceful protestors at Talui Tangkhul Naga Village Ukhrul, Manipur.
Several injured.
Source: UT and local villagers #Manipur #ManipurConflict #ManipurViolence #Nagas #Nagaland #Kukis #KukiTerrorist… pic.twitter.com/oJ0GchGHHY
The convoy then proceeded to Hoomi Vokngayar, where another group of women volunteers confronted them at the junction leading to Hoomi and Kachai villages. Assam Rifles personnel opened fire to disperse the crowd before forcing their way through. During this incident, Mashunphong Zingkhai was shot in the left side of the neck, sustaining a critical and life-threatening injury. The statement noted that by the time the convoy was approximately half a kilometre from Hoomi Vokngayar, word arrived that the first two vehicles and personnel had already been allowed to pass, at which point the group turned back toward Ukhrul.
Condemnation Against AR's Atrocities Towards Civilians
— SpeakNaga_X (@SpeakNaga_X) April 25, 2026
WC, TNL | 25 April 2026
“The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) vehemently condemns the reckless and barbaric act of the Assam Rifles today at Talui, Hoomi and Vokngayar (Hoomi) that has left two innocent… pic.twitter.com/UXvyILRtTe
The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) issued a strong condemnation of what it described as a reckless and barbaric act by Assam Rifles at Talui, Hoomi, and Hoomi Vokngayar. The committee demanded immediate criminal action against the commander and personnel responsible for endangering civilian lives, and reiterated that no Assam Rifles movements in Tangkhul areas should occur without prior notification to civil society organisations. The TNL accused the forces of destabilising Naga areas amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, and of eroding local trust despite repeated requests for advance notification of troop movements to avoid misunderstandings.
The committee issued a direct warning: "Our patience has worn thin. The Tangkhul Nagas have for too long tolerated atrocities by Indian security forces under the shadow of the draconian AFSPA. We will not sit idly by and allow more such incidents."
Two separate formal complaints were filed at Ukhrul Police Station on Saturday, seeking registration of FIRs against 18 Assam Rifles Somsai post commandant Colonel Manish Kumar Kadian and his personnel. The first complaint was filed by Lalsgan Vashum of Talui village, alleging that at around 1:00 p.m., personnel of 18 Assam Rifles forcefully drove a Casspir through the civil barricade formed by women of the village, recklessly endangering unarmed civilians and causing grievous head injuries to Rose Vashum. The second complaint was filed by Lengleichan Zingkhai of Hoomi village, alleging that Assam Rifles personnel similarly drove through the civilian barricade at Hoomi junction and opened fire to disperse the gathering, critically injuring Mashunphong Zingkhai.
Both complaints alleged that the actions of the security personnel constitute serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, causing grievous hurt by acts endangering life or personal safety, and rash and negligent driving. The complainants further alleged violations of fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India — covering equality before the law, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to life and personal liberty respectively.
The complainants expressed concern over what they described as a recurring pattern of monetary compensation being offered to victims in lieu of accountability, which they argued undermines the rule of law. They also criticised the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, alleging it enables excessive and disproportionate force against unarmed civilians and must be subjected to judicial scrutiny. Both complainants urged prompt registration of FIRs — including a Zero FIR in the Talui case — immediate and adequate medical care for the victims, preservation of all relevant evidence including CCTV footage and weapon records, and strict legal action against the personnel involved. They stated their willingness to fully cooperate with the investigation.
