Ukhrul, September 9: Tension gripped in Molnom village of Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Monday morning after armed militants allegedly stopped a passenger bus traveling from Sinakeithei to Imphal, sparking panic among commuters.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred between 7:30 and 8:00 AM when suspected Kuki militants intercepted the bus along the Sinakeithei–Imphal route. The armed group allegedly seized passengers’ mobile phones and searched them to verify if any photographs or recordings of their militant camp had been taken. Though the devices were later returned, the militants reportedly fired blank rounds, causing chaos and fear among passengers.
Video footage of the incident, circulated widely on social media, showed armed men confronting travellers. A clip posted on the Facebook page Zokhan Khaul carried the caption, “Free Movement at your own risk,” highlighting the fragile security situation in the region.
The Sagolmang Area Naga Students’ Association (SANSA) strongly condemned the incident in a statement. SANSA President Shankhui Raikhan described the act as “barbaric, cowardly, and unlawful,” demanding immediate action from authorities.
“SANSA demands that the concerned authorities immediately initiate stringent measures and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is the bounden duty of the authorities to ensure the safety of all commuters and to uphold the rule of law without compromise,” the statement read.
“We also make it clear that if such heinous incidents are allowed to persist unchecked, SANSA will not remain a silent spectator but will be compelled to pursue stronger courses of action in defense of the security and dignity of our people,” the statement concluded.
