Armed Convoy Looted on Manipur Highway Despite Security Escort

Imphal: Suspected Kuki miscreants robbed a security-escorted convoy on National Highway-2 in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday. The brazen theft occurred between 11:05 am and 11:20 am near Damdei College Road at Gamgiphai. State and central security forces stood by. The convoy was heading from Imphal to Senapati.

Many passengers were returning from an Imphal meeting of Naga People's Front legislators and leaders. The NPF supports the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The thieves seized rice, fruits, dry fish, and other essential supplies. Volunteers enforcing a Kuki counter-economic blockade intercepted the vehicles. The items were briefly returned, but the crowd shouted, "Bring back everything if it belongs to Senapati." The group then seized the goods again.

Victims report that the perpetrators wiped mobile phones to erase photos and videos of the heist. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Sapermeina Police Station. Tensions are high. This theft follows similar attacks on the Imphal-Ukhrul highway one day prior. Naga travellers expressed outrage over the security failure. They want to know why armed guards allowed the blockade to stop the convoy.