Tragedy struck Manipur Monday afternoon when an ambush on a patrol unit left two Assam Rifles members dead. Violence continues unabated. Attack happened around 1:30 p.m. near Nungshangkhong,16 kilometers east of Ukhrul town,local authorities said. Witnesses heard sporadic gunfire until about 4:30 p.m.
The fallen soldiers,Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh,served in 40 Assam Rifles unit based in Sangshak. Afterward, Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera,Director General of Assam Rifles,offered heartfelt condolences to grieving families.
Manipur's Chief Minister,Yumnam Khemchand Singh,condemned the ambush. He vowed the government would not remain passive . “The government will not remain a mute spectator to these atrocities,” he declared, promising justice .
Speculation swirls around the ambushers, some linking them to Eastern Flank faction of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). Isak-Muivah faction long held ceasefire with Indian government since July 1997. But NSCN's "information ministry" denied involvement, stating,“We were neither involved in nor had any knowledge of this incident.” They reaffirmed commitment to ceasefire and ongoing “Indo-Naga” political talks.
Violence escalates,putting security forces in peril and raising questions about peace efforts…
