A survivor of the ambush that killed four members of the Liangmai Naga community in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Friday has recalled how armed attackers, dressed in full camouflage uniforms, opened fire on their vehicle in a forested area.Forty-four-year-old Gaikamang Ringkangmai, who sustained a bullet injury to his left arm, was rescued by security forces from the ambush site and admitted to Senapati district hospital.Recalling the attack, Ringkangmai said as quoted by news agency PTI, “I am from Makui village. Yesterday, there were six of us in a vehicle. We frequently travelled by that route. We were going to Senapati district when we were ambushed by militants. Four of our colleagues died on the spot, while two of us escaped.”He said he was injured during the firing but managed to flee the vehicle and take shelter in nearby bushes.“I received bullet injuries on my arm but jumped from the vehicle and ran to hide in the bushes,” he added.Describing the attackers, Ringkangmai claimed they were positioned in pairs and wore full camouflage uniforms. “They had red ribbons tied to the top of their rifles, from which they continued firing,” he added.The other person who survived the ambush has been identified as Japou MK.The attack took place around 8.30 am on Thursday in an isolated, forested stretch between Makui Ashang and Thabamba Naga villages in Kangpokpi district. According to reports, the armed attackers targeted the vehicle carrying the group, killing four people on the spot and injuring another.The deceased have been identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of a private school; M Wijunamai; Anil Wijunamai; and Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority. All six people travelling in the vehicle belonged to the Liangmai Naga community.The killings have triggered demands for justice from the Naga community, even as authorities move to identify and apprehend those responsible.W Charenamei, younger brother of deceased Wisobou Charenamai, said the family and community were not seeking retaliation.
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“We don’t seek any revenge against the militants. We just want the facts to be established and swift justice for our murdered brothers.”Manipur chief minister Y Khemchand Singh has directed security officials to arrest those involved in the killings and initiate action against them.The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, has alleged that two Kuki militant outfits, the Kuki National Front (P) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), were behind the ambush.
