One Naga village volunteer was killed and two others injured in an alleged ambush by Kuki militants between Makui and Tapon villages in Kangpokpi district at around 6 am today, triggering fresh concern over the security of Naga settlements in the area.
The incident occurred approximately 15 km northeast of Chalwa Police Station, where four Naga village volunteers from Tapon village had reportedly moved towards Makui village following information about an attack.
The volunteers were allegedly ambushed by well armed Kuki militants waiting for them near Makui, around 2 km from Tapon village.
One volunteer was killed, while two others sustained multiple bullet injuries. The fourth volunteer escaped unhurt and reportedly retaliated against the attackers, forcing them to retreat.
The deceased has been identified as Machungwangbou, 35, of Thalon village under Tamei Sub-Division.
The injured volunteers are Nahason, 29, of L. Pabram village, and Mathangambou, 30, of Kadi village. Nahason sustained two bullet injuries to his leg, while Mathangambou reportedly suffered around seven bullet wounds to his legs and hands. His condition was stated to be serious.
Despite the incident being reported to Chalwa Police Station, no Central or State security forces had reached the spot by around 11 am, according to information received from the area. Fellow village volunteers subsequently evacuated the injured and the body of the deceased to Senapati.
Chalwa Police Station reportedly said it could not provide a detailed report as the incident occurred in a Naga village area that police personnel could not access.
The latest attack comes amid a series of reported incidents targeting villages in the area. On September 1, Kuki militants allegedly attacked Tapon Khunjao, Tapon Khunou and Makui Piporam villages, setting fire to several houses and six vehicles, including a JCB excavator. Pastor N. Luithuibou, 49, of Tapon village, sustained a bullet injury to his stomach during the attack.
On September 23, Kuki militants allegedly set fire to around 24 houses in Makui Thanamba and Makui Khuman villages, both under the jurisdiction of Chalwa Police Station.
The killing and injuries in today’s ambush have renewed concerns over the safety of village volunteers and residents, particularly amid reports of repeated attacks and the absence of security forces at the scene hours after the latest incident.
