IMPHAL: Four people belonging to the Naga community, including two women, were shot dead in an alleged ambush in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday.
The incident took place around 1 pm near New Heaven village along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. According to police officials, the victims were travelling in two separate vehicles when unidentified armed men opened fire at them. All four died on the spot, and bullet marks were found on the windshields of the vehicles.
The deceased were identified as Kapangkhui and her son Haoleila, residents of Shangshak village, and siblings August Ngalung and Khanmila from Tashar village. Police suspect the involvement of Kuki militants, while a Kuki organisation in Ukhrul has denied any involvement and called for an investigation based on evidence.
The attack took place a day after a Kuki woman was shot dead during a gunfight between rival groups in neighbouring Senapati district on Thursday. Two men were also injured in that incident. The consecutive incidents have added to tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities in the hill districts of Manipur.
(With inputs from media reports)