TNL alleges vehicles were stopped and belongings looted on NH-202, while 37 government mail bags were reportedly burnt at Shangkai, prompting an FIR and suspension of postal services in Ukhrul.
Imphal, July 28: The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has accused Kuki villagers and suspected Kuki militants of stopping more than 40 commercial and private vehicles travelling under security escort along National Highway-202 in Ukhrul district on Monday, alleging that commuters were robbed and their belongings set on fire while enforcing a purported "counter economic blockade."
The allegations come as the Department of Posts has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) over the reported destruction of government postal consignments, prompting the indefinite suspension of mail services across Ukhrul district.
The TNL, in a statement, claimed the convoy was intercepted at Shangkai Kuki village and Mahadev Hill at around 9.15 am, alleging that the action was carried out by Kuki villagers and militants "in collusion with security forces operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement."
According to the Tangkhul body, the vehicles were stopped to enforce a "Counter Economic Blockade" reportedly announced by the self-styled Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, from midnight of July 26.
The organisation alleged that valuables belonging to commuters, including cash, official documents, clothing and groceries, were forcibly taken and burnt during the blockade.
The allegations could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from the Manipur Government, security agencies or organisations representing the Kuki community at the time of publication.
TNL questions security agencies, seeks action
Describing the alleged incident as "highway robbery in broad daylight," the TNL questioned why security personnel escorting the convoy failed to prevent the alleged stopping of vehicles, looting and burning of personal belongings.
The organisation demanded the immediate withdrawal of the blockade on NH-202 and sought explanations from the State Government, district administration and security forces over the alleged failure to secure the highway despite prior knowledge of the blockade call.
It also reiterated public demands for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki militant groups, alleging that the agreement had failed to prevent such incidents.
FIR details alleged burning of government postal consignments
Separately, an FIR registered at Litan Police Station provides further details regarding the reported destruction of government postal consignments.
According to the complaint filed by Nazir Hussain, son of Nur Rahman Mia, who was accompanying a convoy transporting postal and courier items from Yaingangpokpi to Ukhrul, the convoy was stopped after reaching Shangkai village on Monday morning.
The complainant alleged that around 10 am, four to five armed individuals carrying concealed weapons boarded the Post Office vehicle and forced him to continue driving at gunpoint.
He further alleged that when security personnel asked about the destination of the vehicle, the armed men threatened him by pressing a firearm against his thigh and instructed him to remain silent, telling security personnel they were only taking the vehicle to offload courier items.
According to the FIR, the vehicle was then taken to the Shangkai village ground, where the postal consignments were unloaded and set on fire. Hussain also alleged that the group attempted to burn the vehicle but was prevented from doing so after elderly persons arriving in a black Alto car and a black Thar intervened and persuaded them not to torch it.
Police have registered the case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to obstruction of public servants, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, mischief causing financial damage and common intention, along with relevant sections of the Arms Act concerning unauthorised possession of prohibited arms.
Postal department reports loss of 37 government mail bags
According to the Ukhrul Postmaster, the government mail van was transporting consignments for three post offices when it was intercepted. Postal authorities alleged that all government mail bags were confiscated by those enforcing the ongoing counter economic blockade before being set on fire.
The Ukhrul Head Post Office reportedly lost 32 mail bags, including 23 parcel bags, two speed post bags, three ordinary mail bags and two registered letter bags.
The Somdal Post Office lost four mail bags, comprising one parcel bag, two speed post bags and one ordinary mail bag, while one mail bag belonging to Kamjong Post Office was also destroyed.
Postal officials said a total of 37 government mail bags were burnt at Shangkai Kuki village, located between Mahadev and Litan, around 25 minutes from Ukhrul headquarters.
The destroyed consignments reportedly contained personal parcels as well as important government and personal documents, including ATM cards, passports, educational certificates, besides food items, clothing and other household essentials intended for hundreds of recipients across the district.
Postal services suspended indefinitely
Following the incident, the Ukhrul Post Office lodged a separate FIR seeking a detailed investigation into the interception and destruction of government mail.
The Postmaster also announced that postal services throughout Ukhrul district have been suspended indefinitely until further directions are received from higher authorities, leaving residents uncertain about when normal mail delivery will resume.
The reported destruction of postal consignments has disrupted an essential public service and is expected to affect hundreds of individuals awaiting important documents, banking materials, parcels and official correspondence.
Security concerns mount along NH-202
The incident has once again drawn attention to the security situation along the nearly 10-kilometre stretch of NH-202 between Mahadev and Litan, a corridor frequently described by travellers as one of the highway's most vulnerable sections.
Residents point to previous incidents in which civilians and security personnel were killed in armed attacks along the route, making security escorts a regular feature for vehicle movement.
Passengers travelling in Monday's convoy alleged that the government mail was seized despite the presence of a heavily escorted security convoy, raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of security deployment in ensuring the safe movement of essential public services.
Amid growing public concern, a local youth leader urged the government and security agencies to take immediate and decisive action, warning that continued inaction could further aggravate tensions. Describing the incident as a test of the government's commitment to maintaining law and order, the youth leader said restoring public confidence would require strict enforcement of the law and effective protection of commuters using NH-202.
There was no official statement from Manipur Police regarding arrests or further developments in the investigation till the filing of this report.
