Ukhrul, July 29| EKHON: Postal services in Manipur’s Ukhrul district suffered a major setback after armed miscreants intercepted a government postal convoy and set fire to 36 bags of consignments, including passports, ATM cards, official documents and personal mail, along National Highway-202 on Monday.
The attack occurred near Shangkai village when the convoy carrying postal and courier consignments from Yaingangpokpi to Ukhrul was allegedly stopped by armed men. According to Ukhrul Sub-Postmaster Ungreipam Rimai, the incident has been reported to the relevant civil and law enforcement authorities, while the Department of Posts has begun assessing the extent of the losses and working to restore disrupted services.
Officials said the destroyed consignments included 30 postal bags destined for Ukhrul, four for Somdal and one for Kamjong, dealing a significant blow to the delivery of essential documents and communications across the region.
A formal complaint lodged at Litan Police Station by escort team member Nazir Hussain provides further details of the incident. According to the complaint, the convoy was intercepted shortly after reaching Shangkai village by individuals alleged to be Kuki volunteers.
Hussain stated that at around 10 a.m., three armed men boarded the postal vehicle and forced the driver to continue under threat of firearms. When security personnel accompanying the convoy questioned the armed men, Hussain alleged that one of them pointed a gun at his thigh and warned him to remain silent.
The complaint further alleges that the vehicle was driven to an open ground in Shangkai village, where the armed men unloaded all 36 postal bags before setting them ablaze. They also allegedly attempted to burn the postal vehicle, but the effort was thwarted following the intervention of local village elders.
The destruction of the consignments has raised concerns over the safety of essential public services operating in conflict-affected areas, particularly the secure transportation of sensitive documents such as passports and banking materials.
Police have registered the case and launched an investigation into the attack. No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.
