Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Unknown gunmen opened fire on civilian vehicles along National Highway-202 in Manipur on Wednesday evening. The attack occurred between Leingangching and TM Kasom village in Ukhrul district. It began at 4:45 pm and lasted until roughly 6 pm.
The gunfire originated from the direction of Yaolen Chepu, a Kuki hamlet. Border Security Force posts remain stationed near that village. Despite this, the convoy came under fire shortly after its security escort halted at Litan. The escort consisted of one Yodha vehicle and four personnel. One Winger driver dove between two truck bodies to dodge bullets before speeding away. No passengers suffered physical injuries.
A witness described the ongoing psychological toll of the conflict. "The fear of travelling and carrying on with our daily lives have reached an unbearable peak," she said. She questioned who holds responsibility for civilian safety on the route.
This highway stretch has become a site of repeated violence since the conflict started in early 2026. On April 18, S.W. Chinaoshang and Yaruingam Vashum were killed in an ambush near TM Kasom. Two women were injured in that same attack. On May 29, 65-year-old truck driver Nitish Das of Hooghly, West Bengal, was shot dead while transporting FCI rice. A Manipur Police constable was wounded in that incident. Villagers also reported militants firing on mourners at a TM Kasom cemetery that day. On October 18, two Gorkha Nepali occupants of a Maruti Baleno were injured by gunfire near Mahadev.
Litan Police Station manages scheduled escorts three times daily. These services depart Litan at 8 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm, with return trips from Yaingangpokpi at 8:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Authorities now advise commuters to avoid this road until safety assessments are finished.
Comments