Security operations have continued since Monday after two Assam Rifles personnel were killed in an ambush by unidentified militants in Nongchangkhong (Longchangkhong) area of Ukrul district in Manipur. But officials said Tuesday that no arrests had been made.
Two Assam Rifles personnel – Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Rifleman CM Singh (driver of 40 Assam Rifles Shangshak Battalion) – were killed on Monday around 1.30 pm at Nongchangohung village, which falls under Ukrul police station limits and is about 16 km from the district town.
According to officials, the wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Imphal International Airport, and Chief Minister Yomnam Kemchand and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla are likely to attend.
Officials confirmed that the militants planted three explosive devices on both sides of the bridge on the convoy route returning to 40 Assam Rifles, Changshak, after collecting ration materials from the Ukrul district headquarters. While the convoy was crossing the area, two explosive devices exploded, followed by heavy gunfire from several directions. Officials described it as a “coordinated attack.”
Manipur Police confirmed on Tuesday that the bodies were shifted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal Hospital, late on Monday night. An autopsy was performed on Tuesday.
Read also:2 Assam Rifles personnel killed and many injured in an ambush in Ukhrul in Manipur
The bodies are still at the JNIMS morgue, officials said.
No banned underground group has yet claimed responsibility for the ambush.
Naga People’s Party (NPF) Ukrul legislator Ram Muivah issued a condolence statement on Tuesday.
“I sincerely appeal to all parties concerned not to jeopardize or undermine the framework agreement, signed in 2015, which is the legacy of our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the statement said.
“The Naga people should move forward and focus on peace and development,” she added.
Ethnic clashes in Manipur first began between the Meitei and Kuki communities before encompassing almost all communities. The state’s Meite and Kuki Zou communities have isolated each other from areas they dominate since ethnic clashes began in May 2023 and left at least 260 people dead and 60,000 displaced.
