3 Naga villagers ambushed by suspected Kuki militants while repairing water line in Manipur

IMPHAL: Fresh tensions surfaced in the foothill areas of Manipur after three Naga villagers from Konsakhul were allegedly ambushed on Sunday morning while attempting to repair a community water supply line.According to community leaders, the attack was carried out by armed Kuki militants, prompting strong condemnation and renewed calls for immediate intervention by the state and central governments to prevent further escalation in the region, according to news agency ANI.The incident took place at around 10.30 am when three residents of Konsakhul village trekked uphill to inspect and restore a disrupted water source that serves the local community.Speaking on the incident, NG Akhiu, Convenor of the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee, said the villagers were attacked during what was meant to be a routine maintenance exercise."When they went up to fix the sources, the Kuki militants--specifically the KNF-P (Kuki National Front-Presidential)--were already entrenched there, and they ambushed the three innocent villagers," Akhiu stated."One villager sustained injuries during the attack. The other two were separated and lost in the dense jungle for several hours. Fortunately, they have since managed to navigate their way back to safety."The Foothills Naga Coordination Committee condemned the incident, describing it as an attack on civilians who were not involved in the ongoing ethnic tensions in the state.Community leaders expressed concern over what they alleged was an attempt by militant groups to exert control over strategic foothill areas and disrupt the daily lives of local communities."The Kuki militant groups are waiting for us; they are taking advantage of our innocence," Akhiu warned, urging law enforcement agencies to take prompt action. "We strongly condemn this incident, and we urge the government to intervene immediately, bring the culprits to book, and punish them according to the law."The incident has once again highlighted security concerns in Manipur's foothill regions, where multiple communities live in close proximity to areas affected by the activities of various insurgent groups. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the alleged attack.