Bodies of four Nagas, killed in Manipur ambush, retrieved

Guwahati: The bodies of four Naga civilians, killed in an ambush in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, were retrieved on Friday, officials said. The four civilians were killed while two were injured when armed assailants attacked a vehicle in an isolated area between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga villages at around 8:30 am on Thursday.

Officials said security forces had attempted to retrieve the bodies on Thursday but could not reach the site as there was a blockade and disruption along the route. A security team later reached the site, retrieved the bodies and brought them to Senapati district headquarters.

Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh chaired a high-level security meeting on Thursday and directed security forces to identify, arrest and take action against those involved in the attack. The U nited Naga Council, the apex body of the Naga community in the state, accused two militant outfits - Kuki National Front (P) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) - of being involved in the ambush.


One of the survivors, Gaikamang Ringkangmai, in a video message said, "I am from Makui village. On Thursday, there were six of us in a vehicle. We frequently travelled by that route. We were travelling to Senapati district when we were ambushed by Kuki militants. Four of our colleagues died on the spot, while two of us escaped. I received bullet injuries on my arms but jumped from the vehicle and ran to hide among the bushes."