Four Naga civilians were killed and one injured in an alleged ambush along Manipur’s IT Road in Kangpokpi, prompting condemnation, security deployment and a Senapati shutdown.
Imphal, August 27: Four Naga civilians were killed and another was injured after armed assailants allegedly ambushed a group travelling along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road in Kangpokpi district on Thursday morning, in an attack that has renewed tensions in the Kangpokpi-Senapati belt.
The incident took place at around 8:30 am between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga, a stretch regarded by local communities as an important lifeline for Naga villages located along the IT Road. Officials and multiple local reports confirmed four deaths, one injury and a missing person following the attack.
The identities of the attackers have not been officially established. Local sources and Naga organisations have alleged the involvement of armed Kuki groups, including cadres associated with KNF(P), KNF and KRA. These allegations could not be independently verified, and officials have not publicly established responsibility for the attack.
Preliminary reports identified those killed as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School at T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai, an executive member of Makui Youth Club; Anil Wijunamai, another executive member of the youth club; and Japou MK, a student leader from Thonglang Akutpa.
Gaikamang Ringkangmai sustained injuries in the attack and was evacuated for medical treatment.
There was initially conflicting information about the status of two other people associated with the incident. Some early reports identified Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority, as missing, while Japou MK was initially reported missing by local sources before later reports listed him among those killed. The casualty details were still developing on Thursday.
The attack prompted security forces to move into the area, with additional personnel reportedly deployed and a search operation initiated following the incident.
Deputy CM Losii Dikho condemns attack
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, who also holds the Forest, Environment and Climate Change portfolio, condemned what he described as a heinous and barbaric attack on Naga civilians.
Dikho expressed grief over the deaths and described the targeting of civilians as unacceptable. He stated that violence of this nature poses a serious threat to efforts to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
He also assured that necessary assistance would be extended to the injured person and affected families and appealed to all sections of society to reject violence and prevent the incident from aggravating existing divisions.
N Biren Singh demands immediate action
Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also condemned the killings in a post on X.
Four more Naga civilians have been killed by suspected Kuki militants along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district today. How many more innocent lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 27, 2026
This comes at a time when the bodies of six Naga civilians butchered earlier are still…
Biren questioned how many more innocent lives would have to be lost before decisive action was taken. He referred to the earlier killing of six Naga civilians whose bodies, according to his post, were still being kept in a mortuary by their families as a protest over the absence of justice.
He called for immediate and visible action, including the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the latest attack.
Naga bodies demand action and investigation
The United Naga Council (UNC) condemned the attack and demanded that the perpetrators be arrested and brought to justice.
The UNC alleged that the attack was carried out by armed Kuki groups operating under the Suspension of Operations framework. The allegation has not been independently established.
The council also demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances and responsibility for the killings.
The Working Committee of the Joint Tribe Council similarly condemned the attack and alleged that armed groups associated with KNF(P), KNF and KRA were responsible. It demanded immediate arrests and accused the authorities of failing to adequately protect Naga civilians. Those allegations could not be independently verified.
The Makui Village Authority also condemned the attack, describing the IT Road as a critical route for Naga villages in the area and demanding immediate action against those responsible.
Senapati faces shutdown after killings
The killings triggered a shutdown in Senapati district headquarters. The Naga People's Organisation (NPO) announced the closure of shops, commercial establishments and businesses in protest against the killings.
The NPO's action came amid heightened security concerns in Kangpokpi, Senapati and adjoining areas. Reports indicated that security deployments were increased following the attack as authorities sought to prevent further violence.
The UNC separately announced that a one-day Genna would be observed across Naga areas and district headquarters on August 28 from 6 am to 6 pm. According to the council's statement, vehicular movement, shops, business establishments and government and private institutions would remain closed during the period, with emergency services and board/common examinations exempted.
Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) has strongly condemned the killing of Naga civilians in an ambush along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district on Thursday morning. According to information cited by the organisation, four civilians were killed, one injured and another reported missing after the attack around 8:30 am between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga.
TIM described the targeting of civilians travelling along the public road as an intolerable act of violence and a serious violation of the right to life. The organisation identified the victims as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School, T. Khullen; Mariakdibou Wijunamai, executive member of Makui Youth Club; Japou MK, student leader of Thonglang Akutpa; Anil Wijunamai, executive member of Makui Youth Club; Gaikamang Ringkangmai, who was injured; and Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority, whose status was initially reported as missing.
TIM expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the Naga community and called for the safe recovery of Charenamai.
The organisation also linked Thursday’s incident to the May 13, 2026, ambush killings, which it said resulted in the deaths of three Thadou pastors and six Naga civilians in separate incidents. TIM alleged that armed groups suspected of links with Kuki Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups were involved in those attacks and criticised what it described as a failure to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.
TIM further raised allegations concerning Jangboi Kipgen, identified by the organisation as Home Secretary of the KNF/UPF and chairman of the Unified Command covering Kuki armed outfits. The allegations have not been independently established. TIM called for any suspected role or command responsibility to be investigated and, where supported by evidence, for appropriate legal action.
The organisation urged the governments of India and Manipur and security agencies to conduct an immediate, impartial and time-bound investigation, establish the chain of command and prosecute those found responsible, including planners and facilitators.
TIM also called for the disarming of armed networks, a review of the Suspension of Operations arrangement, stronger civilian protection and transparent legal action. It maintained that no armed group or individual should have the power to threaten civilians or determine who lives or dies.
Attack adds to recent tensions along Kangpokpi-Senapati belt
The latest incident comes amid renewed violence affecting Naga settlements and civilians in the Kangpokpi-Senapati region.
On August 14, attacks were reported at Langka and Makhui Naga villages in Kangpokpi district, leaving two civilians dead and several others injured. The attacks were subsequently followed by a shutdown in Naga-inhabited areas.
Naga organisations have also raised concerns over the safety of civilian movement along roads connecting Naga-inhabited areas with Senapati and neighbouring districts. The IT Road has been described by residents as a vital route for communities living along the corridor.
The latest killings are likely to further heighten security concerns in the area, where tensions between Naga and Kuki communities have persisted amid the wider conflict in Manipur.
Authorities have yet to publicly establish the identity of the attackers or announce arrests in connection with Thursday's ambush. The investigation and security operations in the area are continuing.
