Imphal: Postal services across Manipur’s Ukhrul district have been suspended indefinitely after unidentified miscreants allegedly intercepted an India Post mail van and set 37 mail bags ablaze on National Highway-202, disrupting the delivery of passports, banking documents, educational certificates and other essential consignments.

The incident occurred on Monday when the mail vehicle, carrying consignments destined for the Ukhrul, Somdal and Kamjong post offices, was reportedly stopped near Shangkai Kuki village.

According to the Ukhrul Postmaster, the attackers seized 37 mail bags from the vehicle before setting them on fire. An FIR has been registered at Litan Police Station, and postal authorities have initiated legal proceedings into the incident.

The destroyed mail reportedly contained a wide range of important items, including passports, ATM cards, educational certificates, registered documents, personal parcels, clothing, food items and other articles intended for delivery to residents across the district.

Ukhrul Post Office suffered the largest loss, with 32 mail bags reduced to ashes. The destroyed consignment included 23 parcel bags, two speed post bags, three ordinary mail bags and two registered letter bags. Somdal Post Office lost four mail bags comprising one parcel bag, two speed post bags and one ordinary mail bag, while Kamjong Post Office lost one mail bag in the incident.

Following the attack, postal operations throughout Ukhrul district have been suspended until further orders, postal officials said, adding that services will resume only after directions are received from higher authorities.

Meanwhile, the Working Committee of the Kuki Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Ukhrul, which is enforcing an indefinite counter-economic blockade in the district, acknowledged that an India Post vehicle had been intercepted.

However, the committee claimed the vehicle was transporting vegetables and grocery items along with legitimate postal consignments. It did not address the allegation that the 37 mail bags were subsequently set on fire.