Four Naga civilians killed in Manipur ambush

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Unidentified gunmen on Thursday morning (August 27, 2026) ambushed and killed four Naga civilians between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga villages in Manipur’s Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district.

The United Naga Council (UNC), an apex body of Manipur’s Naga communities, blamed Kuki extremist groups for the attack, though no outfit has claimed responsibility.

Officials said the gunmen opened fire on at least six people who were travelling from Makui to Senapati, a Naga-majority district. The authorities suspect that some groups are trying to undermine the State government’s peace-building measures.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnan Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam condemned the “senseless violence” and said it “strikes at our collective efforts to restore peace and normalcy”.

UNC condemned the “barbaric and calculated” attack on the Liangmai Naga civilians and called it a “direct challenge to peace, the Indo-Naga peace process, and to the very existence of Nagas in our ancestral lands”. It appealed to the Nagas to remain vigilant and stand united against “such external threats”.

The apex Naga body identified the deceased as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, Mariakdibou Wijunamai, Anil Wijunamai, and Wisobou Charenamai. It said Gaikamang Ringkangmai was injured in the attack, while one Japou M.K. was missing.

UNC alleged that the Kuki National Front (KNF), KNF (Presidential) and Kuki Revolutionary Army were behind the attack. The groups had signed the Suspension of Operation agreement with the Centre in 2008. It expressed resentment over the “complete security failure” and demanded that authorities book the perpetrators, form a Special Investigation Team, and deliver speedy justice.

Following the incident, people in Senapati district observed a shutdown. The UNC announced a one-day ‘genna’, a period of strict prohibition, rest, and community worship, across Manipur’s Naga-inhabited areas on Friday to pay homage to the victims.

The ambush was carried out at a time when the Manipur government is continuing its efforts to restore peace in the ethnic violence-scarred State. The efforts included the resumption of the Imphal-Guwahati bus service via National Highway-2, which was blockaded for more than three years after the conflict between the Kuki-Zos and Meiteis erupted on May 3, 2023. The highway passes through Kuki- and Naga-inhabited areas.

In February, the situation in Manipur took another turn following a series of attacks, including arson, involving the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities.

At a high-level security meeting held after the expiry of a 15-day ultimatum asking individuals and groups to surrender illegal weapons, the Chief Minister instructed security officials to nab and initiate action against the perpetrators of Thursday’s attack.

“We decided to take stringent action against any individual, irrespective of community, found in possession of illegal arms and weapons.