Villagers attacked during funeral service in Manipur’s Ukhrul

Villagers attending a funeral service at TM Kasom in Manipur’s Ukhrul district allegedly came under attack from suspected militants on Manipur 29, sources said.

According to local sources, armed militants, allegedly from nearby Patleijang, opened fire while mourners were conducting the last rites of an elderly villager who had reportedly died due to a kidney-related illness. 

The firing reportedly took place near the cemetery area, triggering panic among those attending the funeral.

Patleijang is a small hamlet inhabited by a few Kuki families, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), sources said.

Videos purportedly related to the incident have been circulating on social media, although officials are yet to verify their authenticity.

The incident occurred on the same day another firing incident was reported in the Kasom area, where suspected militants allegedly attacked a convoy of civilian vehicles transporting Food Corporation of India (FCI) rice along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.

According to sources, militants opened fire near TM Kasom, killing the driver of one of the trucks on the spot.

Personnel of the Manipur Police and central security forces later recovered the body from the area.

Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the identity of the deceased truck driver or released detailed information regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The situation in the area remained tense till Friday evening, May 29, with security forces maintaining vigil and further details awaited.