Reported by St Ginth Haokip, Kukiland Express
Saikul: April 24, 2026
Mulam, Kuki village in Litan LM Block, Ukhrul District came under a full-scale armed attack in the early hours of Thursday, allegedly by Tangkhul Kacha-Naga militants NSCN-IM, leaving several villagers injured and homes destroyed by fire. The Mullam Village Authority said the assault began around 5:30 AM and involved heavy, indiscriminate firing on the civilian settlement. At the time of issuing its statement, two severely injured persons had been rescued, with reports of additional injuries and one unverified fatality.
According to the village authority, the first sign of trouble was a blank shot heard near the village at approximately 1:00 AM. Given the recent pattern of unrest in the area, residents did not immediately raise alarm. However, by 5:30 AM, the situation escalated into what the authority described as an “unprovoked and premeditated assault.” Gunmen opened fire indiscriminately while several houses were set ablaze, forcing villagers to flee for safety.
The attack marks a grave escalation in local tensions, the village authority stated. While previous incidents had fuelled fear and insecurity, Thursday’s direct assault on a civilian village was termed a “grave and unacceptable development.” The authority warned that any further delay in government intervention would cost more innocent lives.
Giving background to the incident, the village authority cited a series of intimidation attempts this month. On April 19, armed militants allegedly entered Mulam village land in broad daylight and fired blank shots at farmers, triggering panic. When village youths approached the group for clarification later that day, they were met with gunfire. No casualties were reported then.
Another firing incident targeting farmers was reported on April 21, further heightening fear in the village. The authority said these repeated acts created an atmosphere of sustained intimidation and disrupted daily life. Despite exercising restraint and hoping for a peaceful resolution, the community continued to face harassment.
In response to the escalating situation, the Mulam Village Authority had earlier issued urgent warnings to authorities in nearby Toungou and Sirarikhong, seeking intervention and de-escalation. Those appeals, however, went unheeded, the statement said. The authority reiterated that the direct attack on civilians reflects a disturbing new phase of violence in the region.
The Mullam Village Authority has now demanded immediate government action to protect civilian lives and property. “The government must act now—any further delay will cost innocent lives,” the statement concluded. The incident has added fresh urgency to calls for strict enforcement of ceasefire ground rules and confinement of armed groups to designated camps across Manipur.
