A day after a deadly convoy ambush near TM Kasom, NH-202 was reportedly blocked at Shangkai village. Police confirmed Kuki militants were behind the attack that killed an FCI driver.
Imphal, May 30: The security situation along National Highway-202 remained tense on Saturday after the highway was reportedly blocked near Shangkai village, close to Litan, following a deadly ambush on a convoy escorting essential supply vehicles to Ukhrul district.
According to local reports, the Imphal-Ukhrul road was cut off during the night of May 29 when a JCB excavator was allegedly used to obstruct the highway near Shangkai village. The blockade came hours after security forces launched an operation to facilitate the movement of stranded goods vehicles carrying essential commodities along the strategic route.
#Update
— Voxdei?? (@Tongjei_Maril) May 30, 2026
Post the ambush yesterday on the convoy, the Imphal–Ukhrul Road was cut off by Kuki thugs using a JCB excavator at Shangkai village, near Litan on the night of May 29, 2026 to disrupt the movement of vehicles carrying essential supplies to Ukhrul.#Manipur https://t.co/xOq6EWKGqR pic.twitter.com/w2osz3GHGF
Earlier on Friday, a combined security operation was conducted near Shangkai village along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Security personnel reportedly began efforts around 10 am to clear the highway and restore vehicular movement for trucks and other vehicles that had remained stranded due to prolonged disruptions along the route.
Officials and local sources said the operation focused on ensuring the safe passage of essential supply vehicles bound for Ukhrul and surrounding areas. Additional security personnel were deployed along vulnerable stretches of the highway as authorities attempted to reopen the road corridor.
However, tensions escalated during the operation after reports emerged of injuries among local villagers, including women. Videos and photographs circulating from the area led to allegations regarding the use of force during the security exercise. Authorities had not released any official casualty or injury figures related to the Shangkai incident at the time of reporting.
The situation further deteriorated later in the day when residents of TM Kasom, also known as Roudei, alleged that armed Kuki militants opened fire near a funeral gathering around noon.
According to local accounts, villagers had gathered at a cemetery to perform the last rites of an elderly resident who had reportedly died from a kidney-related illness when gunfire erupted near the burial site. Residents claimed the firing originated from the direction of Patleijang hill, forcing mourners to abandon the burial ceremony. The deceased was later reportedly buried at a homestead instead of the village cemetery.
Hours later, a convoy transporting essential commodities came under attack along NH-202 between TM Kasom and New Heaven.
According to Manipur Police, a combined team of Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF and RAF escorting stranded Food Corporation of India (FCI) trucks and LPG/IOCL tankers was attacked by armed Kuki militants positioned on Patleijang hill overlooking the route.
Police confirmed on Saturday that Kuki militants were responsible for the ambush.
The attack claimed the life of Nitish Kumar, 57, an FCI truck driver from Hooghly district of West Bengal. Kumar was transporting essential supplies under security escort when the convoy came under heavy fire.
A police personnel identified as Disingam Maringmei, 35, of Sangaiprou Kabui village under Litan Police Station, sustained a bullet injury during the attack.
The ambush occurred while security forces were attempting to facilitate the movement of essential commodities to interior areas affected by repeated disruptions along the highway.
Following the attack, security agencies launched search and area domination operations in the region to track down those responsible. Police said efforts are underway to apprehend the militants involved in the assault.
The latest incidents have further heightened concerns over security along NH-202, a critical transport corridor linking Imphal with Ukhrul and Kamjong districts. The route has witnessed repeated attacks and disruptions in recent months, affecting the movement of civilians, government personnel and vehicles carrying essential supplies.
