The UNC alleged that armed Kuki militants belonging to groups under the Suspension of Operations agreement carried out the attack near Makui Ashang and Makui Thanamba. The allegation has not been independently verified.
BY PC Bureau
August 27, 2026: The United Naga Council (UNC) on Thursday strongly condemned the killing of four Liangmai Nagas in an alleged ambush along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, describing the incident as “barbaric and calculated” and “premeditated and cowardly.”
In a statement issued from its headquarters in Tahamzam (Senapati), the UNC alleged that armed Kuki militants affiliated with groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement—KNF (P), KNF and KRA—carried out the attack around 8:30 a.m. between Makui Ashang and Makui Thanamba villages.
The UNC alleged that the attackers were operating under the command of Jangboi Kipgen, Home Secretary of KNF/UPF. The stretch of the IT Road where the incident occurred is an important lifeline for Naga communities living in the area.
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According to the UNC, four people were killed in the attack, while one was critically injured and another escaped.
The council identified the deceased as:
- Wisobou Charenamai, Chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority and former Vice President of the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC);
- Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School, T. Khullen;
- Mariakdibou Wijunamai, executive member of the Makui Youth Club; and
- Anil Wijunamai, executive member of the Makui Youth Club.
Gaikamang Ringkangmai was reported injured, while Japou MK, a student leader from Thonglang Akutpa, was reported to have escaped.
The UNC expressed profound sorrow over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
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The council also accused the government of a “complete security failure” and alleged “discriminatory security deployment,” claiming that armed Kuki groups operating under the SoO arrangement had been allowed to operate freely.
The UNC demanded immediate intervention by the authorities, the arrest of those responsible and speedy justice. It also called for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough probe into the incident.
The council described the attack as a serious escalation that could threaten peace, the Indo-Naga peace process and the security of Naga communities in their ancestral areas. It urged the Naga population to remain vigilant and united.
As a mark of mourning, the UNC announced a one-day Genna across Naga areas and district headquarters on August 28, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It said vehicular movement, shops and business establishments, government offices and private and government institutions would remain closed during the period. Emergency services and board and common examinations were exempted.
The statement was issued by H. James Hauj, Information and Publicity Secretary of the UNC.
The killings have further heightened tensions in Kangpokpi amid continuing friction between Naga and Kuki communities. Officials have confirmed four deaths and one injury in the reported ambush, with the bodies taken to Senapati district hospital. The Naga People’s Organisation also enforced an immediate shutdown of shops in Senapati district headquarters in protest.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and chaired a high-level security meeting. He directed officials to apprehend those responsible and take action against illegal possession of arms.
However, the UNC’s allegations regarding the identity and affiliation of the attackers, including their alleged links to specific SoO groups, have not been independently verified by the police.
