Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, April 28:
Tension escalated sharply in Ringui Village today morning after a fierce gunfight broke out between suspected Kuki militants and Naga village volunteers, leaving at least two members of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) injured.
According to the Information and Publicity Cell of the Ringui Village Protection Committee, the incident stemmed from what it described as an unprovoked armed assault allegedly carried out by Kuki militants operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. The attack reportedly targeted NVG personnel stationed along Ringui Horei within the territorial limits of the village.
The assault occurred at approximately 10:30 AM, when heavily armed assailants allegedly opened fire on the village guards who were monitoring the area. The sudden outbreak of violence triggered a prolonged exchange of gunfire that lasted for several hours, intensifying fear and uncertainty across the locality.
Residents, including women, children and elderly persons, were forced to take shelter as bullets rang through the area, with fears of stray fire and further escalation looming large. The two injured NVG members were reported to have sustained serious injuries, though their current condition could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
The RVPC statement claimed that the attack reflects a recurring pattern of armed aggression in the same zone. It alleged that repeated offensives by SoO militants have steadily eroded the sense of security among villagers, exposing them to risks of displacement, destruction of property and loss of life.
Warning of wider consequences, the committee stated that continued violence could inflame existing ethnic tensions and undermine fragile peace in the region. The situation remained tense in the area as of today evening.