Imphal | A survivor of the ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district that killed four Naga civilians on Thursday has alleged that the attackers were dressed in full camouflage uniforms and fired at their vehicle from an isolated location.

Gaikamang Ringkangmai, 44, who sustained a bullet injury to his left arm, is undergoing treatment at Senapati District Hospital. Security forces rescued him from the ambush site.

“I am from Makui village. Yesterday, there were six of us in a vehicle. We frequently travelled by that route. We were going to Senapati district when we were ambushed by militants. Four of our colleagues died on the spot, while two of us escaped,” Ringkangmai told reporters.

He said he was shot in the arm but managed to jump out of the vehicle and hide in nearby bushes. According to Ringkangmai, the attackers were positioned in pairs and wore full camouflage uniforms. “They had red ribbons tied to the top of their rifles, from which they continued firing,” he alleged.

The other survivor has been identified as Japou MK.

W Charenamei, younger brother of deceased Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority, called for a speedy investigation and justice. “We don’t seek any revenge against the militants. We just want the facts to be established and swift justice for our murdered brothers,” he said.

At least four members of the Naga community were killed and one injured when armed assailants ambushed their vehicle in a forested area of Kangpokpi district on Thursday morning. Officials said the vehicle came under attack at around 8.30 am in an isolated stretch between Makui Ashang and Thabamba Naga villages. Four people were killed on the spot.

One of the deceased was the founder and principal of a private school. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has directed security officials to identify and arrest those involved in the killings and take action against them under the law.

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, has accused two Kuki militant outfits – the Kuki National Front (P) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) – of involvement in the attack. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The deceased have been identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, founder and principal of a private school; M Wijunamai; Anil Wijunamai; and Wisobou Charenamai, chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority.

All six people travelling in the vehicle belonged to the Liangmai Naga community.