Manipur: People Stage Protests Against Ambush on Assam Rifles

PTI, IMPHAL, SEP 20, 2025 : Locals of Nambol in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Saturday morning staged protests against the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush in the area the previous day. Search operations are being conducted in the area for the attackers and the vehicle used by them, police said.

The locals, wearing traditional mourning attire, raised slogans and held placards condemning the attack for "creating fear and panic among the public" at a sit-in just 1 km from the ambush spot. Later, women took out a protest rally denouncing the attack and criticized the opening of fire in public places.

Two jawans of the Assam Rifles were killed and five others were injured when a group of armed men ambushed a vehicle of the paramilitary force in the Nambol Sabal Leikai area on Friday evening. Officials said no group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

An uneasy calm prevailed in the state capital Imphal and Bishnupur district on Saturday morning, with the identity of the perpetrators yet to be known.

Prominent Churachandpur-based organization Kuki Zo Council also condemned the attack on the paramilitary forces. The council emphasized that the attack occurred at a place in Imphal Valley where the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was not in force.

The attack took place when Assam Rifles personnel were traveling towards Bishnupur district from Imphal on Friday evening.

The deceased personnel were identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap. Injured personnel N. Nongthon told reporters, "The assailants, numbering around four to five, suddenly opened fire at us. We did not immediately retaliate as it would have led to injuries to the public, as it was not an isolated area."