On August 27 at about 8:30 am, six people driving along the IT Road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district reportedly drove into an ambush between Makui Asang and Thanamba Naga village; four Naga civilians were killed and two others escaped, according to survivors. Gaikamang Ringkangmai sustained a gunshot wound to his left forearm and remains under treatment, while Ahjapou MK fled the scene unharmed.
Ahjapou, secretary of the Ahangruak Association, said the attackers numbered “about 40 to 50” and were lying in wait near Makui Asang. “We were ambushed at the area located at Makui Asang. Kuki militants numbering about 40 to 50 were sitting in ambush around that area. We headed straight into it. We did not know of their presence when they started firing on us without any stoppage or hesitation,” he told reporters.
Ringkangmai, who says he hid behind foliage during the attack, corroborated that six people were travelling together and described the killings as brutal. “Six of us were travelling along the IT Road. They brutally killed the four Nagas. I was lucky to escape with an injury to my hand,” he said, alleging the assailants were positioned in pairs, wore uniforms and had red ribbons tied to their rifles.
The Assam Tribune has not independently verified claims about the number, identity, appearance or affiliation of the attackers. Survivors also alleged that an exchange of fire continued after the ambush between village volunteers and the attackers, and that drones were used during the confrontation.
Ahjapou questioned the response time of security forces, saying local leaders and residents were informed but personnel arrived only the following morning to retrieve the bodies. “They came only this morning, around 5:30 am, to retrieve the bodies; they had been left untouched until then,” he said, referring to August 28.
The bodies were recovered more than 24 hours after the attack. They reached Thonglang Atongba, a Liangmei Naga village, at about 8:30 am on August 28 and were brought to Senapati District Hospital at approximately 10:24 am, where large crowds had gathered and several relatives reportedly fainted on seeing the remains. Post-mortem examinations and related formalities were completed before a condolence service was held at Tahamzam in Senapati district headquarters on August 29.
Speaking on behalf of the NPF and Naga leaders, Awangbow Newmai paid tribute to the victims and urged that those responsible be brought to justice if their involvement is established. “Naga people respect even their worst enemy. Even if Nagas kill their enemy, they show respect. But today, it is unthinkable that there are people who don’t respect humanity,” he said.
The mortal remains were then escorted to Chawangkining village for funeral and burial rites. The deceased have been identified as Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of Chawangkining Village Authority and former vice-president of the Liangmei Naga Council; Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of Right Path School, T. Khullen; and Mariakdibou Wijunamai and Anil Wijunamai, both executive members of Makui Youth Club.
Authorities say the exact circumstances of the ambush, the identity of those responsible and questions over the timing and adequacy of the security response remain under investigation.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/we-headed-straight-into-it-survivors-recount-ambush-in-manipurs-kangpokpi-1616266
Category: North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2026-08-29 12:19:00
