29 May,2026 06:00 PM IST | Imphal | mid-day online correspondent
More than 38 people were abducted and held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13. FILE PIC
Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse protestors who had blocked National Highway 202 in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Friday, officials told news agency PTI.
Residents of Shangkai village, who were enforcing a shutdown in their area to protest the alleged holding of 14 community members hostage by Naga groups, had blocked part of the vital highway from Imphal to Ukhrul district headquarters.
At least five women sustained minor injuries during the incident and were given first aid treatment by security forces, they said.
Protesters placed heavy stone boulders, tree trunks and gathered in the middle of the road, disrupting the movement of essential supplies and security forces towards the Ukhrul district headquarters.
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, had announced an indefinite total shutdown in all areas inhabited by the tribal community to protest the abduction of 14 individuals allegedly by Naga groups.
More than 38 people were abducted and held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13, hours after three church leaders were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi district.
Of them, 31 people have been released, including 12 Naga women and 16 Kukis. Six Naga men, however, continued to be held hostage, and their whereabouts are not yet known.
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes in the state, also claimed that 14 people from the community continued to be held hostage by Naga groups.
A truck driver was killed when suspected militants fired at a convoy of vehicles in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Friday, police said.
"A joint team of security forces, including BSF, CRPF and police were escorting some 15 to 20 commercial trucks towards Ukhrul district when they came under attack near TM Kasom from suspected militants, killing a truck driver at the spot", an officer told news agency PTI.
Security forces also fired back, leading to a brief exchange of fire.
The identity of the victim is yet to be determined, the officer said.
The incident happened around 6 km from Shangkai village, where protesters blocked roads, forcing security forces to fire several tear gas shells to disperse the agitators on Friday morning.
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday had met representatives of the Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association, to discuss the law and order situation on the National Highways and the movement of goods transport.
The CM had said, "The government is committed to ensuring the safe and smooth movement of transport vehicles and keeping the National Highways free from all hindrances."
Two civilians, including a retired Army soldier, were shot dead by suspected militants on April 18 last in an ambush near TM Kasom village.
(With PTI inputs)
