You are connecting from Lake Geneva Public Library, please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.
Published 2 days ago • loading... • Updated 1 day ago
Truck Driver From West Bengal Transporting Rice to Ukhrul Killed in Manipur Ambush
The convoy was carrying Food Corporation of India rice when unidentified gunmen opened fire, killing a driver and wounding a police constable.
On Friday, unidentified gunmen ambushed an escorted goods truck convoy on National Highway-202 in Manipur's Ukhrul district, killing 65-year-old truck driver Nitish Das from West Bengal and injuring police constable Disingam Maringmei.
Shortly before the ambush, local protesters blocked roads at Shangkai, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells as tensions between Tangkhul Nagas and Kukis have simmered in the area since February.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the ambush as a 'cowardly act' by 'vested interest groups' intended to 'derail the initiatives of the state government to restore peace and normalcy in the state.'
The Tangkhul Naga Long blamed Kuki 'narco-terrorists' for the attack, stating they were 'deeply outraged' by the 'savagery' and 'repeated inaction and apparent indifference' of Central security forces.
Since ethnic clashes began in May 2023, at least 260 people have been killed and more than 59,000 displaced, with the region remaining volatile as several hostages remain unaccounted for.