Heavily armed militants open fire on Naga Village Guard patrol, four injured

Special Correspondent 
Ukhrul, April 29:
Tension gripped the hill areas of Ukhrul district today morning after alleged narco-terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on members of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) during a routine inspection patrol at Horei Hill under Ringui village jurisdiction.
According to a press communiqué issued by the NVG Central Command Media Cell, the incident occurred around 10:30 am when an NVG team was conducting surveillance following reports of suspected illegal activities in the forested region. The patrol team reportedly came under sudden gunfire from heavily armed militants, allegedly operating in collusion with cadres under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.
Four NVG personnel sustained injuries in the attack. Sources stated that the injured members were evacuated for medical treatment, while security concerns intensified across adjoining villages.
The NVG alleged that the forest belts surrounding Ringui and Sirarakhong villages, extending towards Mullam area, have long been used for large-scale poppy cultivation and as transit corridors for narcotics trafficking. The organisation described the attack as a direct attempt to protect illegal narco-terror networks operating within what it termed Naga ancestral land.
Expressing strong condemnation, the NVG stated that the firing upon its personnel — whom it described as “real landowners safeguarding indigenous territory” — reflects the growing nexus between armed groups and drug syndicates in the hill districts. The communiqué further criticised the continuing prevalence of poppy cultivation despite the government’s ongoing “War on Drugs” campaign in Manipur.
Calling for urgent intervention, the NVG urged both the State and Central governments to reassess existing strategies and implement decisive measures to eradicate poppy plantations and dismantle narco-terror operations.
Reaffirming its position, the NVG Central Command declared its commitment to defending indigenous land, identity, and security while continuing efforts to curb illegal narcotics activities. The organisation also reiterated its resolve to resist any form of armed incursion into Naga territories.
The incident is expected to further heighten security concerns in the already volatile hill regions of Manipur.