Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand orders action after four Naga civilians were killed in an IT Road ambush in Kangpokpi, while security forces review illegal arms.
Imphal, August 27: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has directed security agencies to identify and take action against those responsible for the killing of four civilians in an ambush along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road in Kangpokpi district on Thursday.
The incident took place around 8.30 am between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga, where armed assailants reportedly attacked a vehicle carrying civilians. Four members of the Naga community were killed and another person was injured, according to officials and multiple reports. One person was also initially reported missing.
The victims were identified in reports as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School at T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai and Anil Wijunamai, both associated with the Makui Youth Club; and Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority. Gaikamang Ringkangmai was reported injured.
The circumstances of the attack and the identity of the perpetrators are under investigation. Some reports have attributed the attack to suspected armed Kuki groups, but the identity of the assailants has not been independently established.
RELATED NEWS: Four Naga Civilians Killed in Ambush Along IT Road in Kangpokpi, One Injured
Following the incident, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh chaired a high-level security meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal on Thursday evening.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the meeting reviewed the IT Road killings and condemned the attack in the strongest terms. The Chief Minister instructed security officials to apprehend the perpetrators and initiate action against them.
The meeting was held in the context of the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Chief Minister on August 12 to individuals possessing illegal weapons to surrender them. The government also decided to take stringent action against anyone, irrespective of community, found possessing illegal arms or weapons.
Chaired a high-level security meeting at my Secretariat, this evening following the 15-days ultimatum given on August 12 last asking individuals possessing any type of illegal weapons to surrender them.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) August 27, 2026
The meeting also discussed today’s unfortunate incident along the IT Road in… pic.twitter.com/F1f4kheH7k
A further decision was taken concerning cadres of outfits covered under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement or engaged in peace talks with the government. The government stated that cadres carrying weapons outside their designated camps would face serious action.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Mukesh Singh and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, CRPF, Assam Rifles, Army, BSF, SSB and other security agencies.
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho also condemned the attack, describing it as a brutal assault on innocent Naga civilians.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Dikho said the attack had reportedly claimed the lives of five civilians and left another person seriously injured. The figure differs from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat statement, which recorded four civilians killed.
Dikho expressed grief over the incident and stated that violence against civilians posed a serious threat to efforts aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
He maintained that the deliberate targeting of innocent people could not be justified and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
The Deputy Chief Minister also assured the injured and affected families of necessary support and assistance.
He appealed to all sections of society to reject violence and urged people not to allow the latest incident to deepen existing divisions or undermine efforts towards peace and normalcy.
The attack has renewed concerns over the safety of civilians travelling along the IT Road, an important route connecting Naga-inhabited areas of Kangpokpi and neighbouring districts.
The incident also comes amid renewed tensions in the Kangpokpi-Senapati belt. Following the killings, Naga organisations condemned the attack and called for shutdown measures in Senapati.
The government’s latest security decisions indicate that the administration intends to intensify action against illegal weapons while also enforcing restrictions on armed cadres operating under the SoO framework.
