UKHRUL: The Naga People’s Front, Manipur State Unit (NPF-MSU), has strongly condemned the reported ambush near TM Kashom Village that allegedly involved suspected Kuki militants and resulted in the death of a truck driver, injuries to security personnel, and damage to a section of National Highway-202.
In a press statement issued by Awangbow Newmai, President of NPF-MSU on Saturday, it expressed concern over the killing of Nitish Kumar (57), a Food Corporation of India (FCI) truck driver from Hooghly district in West Bengal, and the injuries sustained by police personnel during the incident. The party stated that such acts of violence endanger civilian lives, undermine the rule of law, and further destabilize the region.
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The statement noted that the incident occurred amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fate of six Naga men who were abducted on May 13, 2026.
Referring to Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s visit to Makhan Village on May 28, NPF-MSU said survivors of the abduction shared firsthand accounts of the incident during the visit. According to the party, the testimonies reportedly differed significantly from information previously conveyed to the government through senior police and security officials.
The regional party questioned why critical information emerged only during the Chief Minister’s personal visit and raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of ground-level investigations, intelligence gathering, and official reporting.
According to testimonies cited by NPF-MSU, the six missing Naga men were last seen after being detained at Leilon Vaiphei by local women before allegedly being handed over to armed Kuki militants. The party questioned whether all relevant witnesses had been examined, statements properly recorded, and available leads adequately pursued.
Despite the deployment of state police and security forces and repeated assurances from authorities, the party said there had been no visible breakthrough in determining the whereabouts of the six abducted men.
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NPF-MSU also expressed concern over the reported excavation and damage to a portion of National Highway-202 using JCB excavators. The party questioned how such an operation could have been carried out if security forces were stationed nearby and called for an explanation regarding the alleged lapse in preventing damage to a critical transportation route.
“The people deserve to know why no effective action was taken to prevent the destruction of a crucial highway connecting communities and facilitating the movement of essential goods and services,” the statement said.
While stating that the Naga people had exercised patience and restraint throughout the crisis, NPF-MSU warned that the continued absence of answers could erode public confidence in institutions responsible for maintaining law and order.
The NPF-MSU then demanded:
- An immediate and transparent status report on the six missing Naga men;
- A thorough inquiry into any lapses in investigation, intelligence gathering, and official reporting;
- Swift identification and prosecution of those responsible for abduction, violence, attacks on civilians and security personnel, and destruction of public infrastructure;
- Stronger security measures to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of all communities; and
- Accountability from all agencies tasked with maintaining law and order.
NPF-MSU said it stands with the families of the six missing men and reiterated its commitment to pursuing the matter through democratic means until the truth is established.
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