EKHON
UKHRUL, November 14, 2026: In the wake of the killing of four Tangkhul Naga civilians in a deadly ambush near New Heaven along NH-202 on November 13, former bureaucrat Ram Muivah has urged Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to take immediate and decisive measures to ensure the safety of commuters along the vulnerable Imphal–Ukhrul highway.
In a representation to the Chief Minister, with copies to Home Minister K. Govindas Singh and Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, Muivah described the repeated attacks along the Mahadev–New Heaven stretch as a grave security concern, saying that the continuing violence has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among commuters.
Pointing out that the stretch is less than 15 km long, he said repeated ambushes in the area have reportedly claimed nine lives over the past several months.
“Enough is enough,” Muivah stated, calling for full-proof security coverage along the entire vulnerable stretch. He stressed that innocent travellers cannot continue to be exposed to deadly attacks on a vital highway connecting Ukhrul with the state capital.
He also expressed serious concern over the reported deployment of more than 100 Ukhrul police personnel and over 800 Manipur Rifles personnel from the district outside Ukhrul. Urging the State Government to immediately bring them back, he said their presence was essential to strengthen local law enforcement, highway patrolling and the protection of civilians.
In his representation, Muivah urged the Chief Minister to direct the DGP to conduct combing operations in Yaolen, Mongkot Chepu, Shangkai and Lamlai Chingphei villages to identify and apprehend suspected armed militants allegedly involved in attacks along the highway. He emphasised that those responsible must be identified and arrested on the basis of credible evidence.
His key demands include immediate and effective security coverage along the Mahadev–New Heaven sector, intensified search operations in the identified areas and the return of Ukhrul-based police and Manipur Rifles personnel currently deployed elsewhere.
The representation comes against the backdrop of repeated attacks on civilians and security personnel along the Imphal–Ukhrul highway, including the latest ambush that claimed four lives near New Heaven. The continuing incidents have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of existing security arrangements, intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies.
Muivah’s intervention places renewed pressure on the State Government and security establishment to move beyond routine condemnations and undertake concrete preventive measures.
With civilian lives repeatedly lost along a stretch of less than 15 km, the demand for effective security, accountability and protection of commuters has become increasingly urgent.
