Manipur: Four victims of Ukhrul ambush brought to Imphal; Tangkhul Naga Long sets three-day ultimatum

The bodies of four people killed in an ambush near New Heaven along the Imphal-Ukhrul Road (National Highway 202) in Manipur's Ukhrul district were brought to the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal on Saturday, November 14.

The four victims were allegedly killed by suspected Kuki militants on November 13. The incident has triggered strong reactions from Tangkhul Naga organisations, which have demanded immediate action from the state and central governments.

A large number of people from various Naga communities, the Meitei community and civil society organisations gathered at the JNIMS mortuary to receive the bodies and express solidarity with the bereaved families. Several MLAs representing Naga and Meitei communities also visited the mortuary. A prayer service was held as part of the reception programme.

During the reception ceremony, the executive members of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) issued a three-day ultimatum to the state and central governments, demanding that all Kuki militants be driven out of Naga areas and that the investigation into the ambush be immediately handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The organisation also announced that the families of the victims would not claim the bodies until the demands were fulfilled.

Strongly condemning the killing, the Tangkhul Naga Long identified the deceased as Kapangkhui RS and Haoleila RS, both from Shangshak Khullen village, and Tychicus Ngalung and Tanmila Keishing, both from Tashar village.

In a statement, the organisation described the incident as a daylight ambush that took place on November 13, allegedly just a few metres away from the deployment location of central security forces at New Heaven.

The TNL said an emergency meeting of Tangkhul civil society organisations was convened following the incident, after which the ultimatum was issued. It also claimed that this was the fourth such incident reported from the same location.

Holding the state and central governments responsible for the failure to protect civilians, the organisation said it had lost confidence in the central security forces deployed in the area and demanded their immediate withdrawal.

The organisation further warned that it would launch an indefinite agitation if the governments failed to meet its demands within the stipulated three-day period.

The families of the deceased have also resolved not to claim the bodies until the demands are fulfilled, the organisation said.