Hundreds Rally & Stage Sit-In at Nambol After Deadly Ambush on Assam Rifles
Hundreds — overwhelmingly women from local Meira Paibi groups — marched and staged a sit-in at Nambol Sabal Leikai (Bishnupur district, Manipur) to protest a deadly ambush on an Assam Rifles vehicle at the same location. The ambush left two Assam Rifles personnel dead and five injured; no group has claimed responsibility and security forces launched search-and-combing operations. The rallyers condemned attacks in public spaces and urged an end to violence while calling for restoration of peace
On the day before the protest, an Assam Rifles vehicle (a Tata 407) was ambushed at Nambol Sabal Leikai, while it was travelling from Imphal towards Bishnupur under the jurisdiction of the Nambol Police Station. According to official and media accounts, the attackers opened fire on the vehicle, killing two Assam Rifles personnel — Nb. Sub. Shyam Gurung (58) and Rfn. GD Kashav (29) — and injuring five others, who were rushed to RIMS, Imphal for treatment. The ambush took place in a public and busy area, a fact that struck locals as especially shocking and dangerous.
Who protested — the people, the groups, and their message
The rally and sit-in were organised under the aegis of the joint coordinating committee of the Nambol Sabal Leikai Meira Paibis — an umbrella of women’s civic groups in the area (NSLAMP). The turnout was large and largely female; Meira Paibis — traditional women’s vigil and social groups well-known in Manipur for community action — led the chant lines and the sit-in. Protesters marched with placards and repeatedly chanted condemnations of attacks on Assam Rifles and violent acts in public places more generally. The convenor of NSLAMP, L. Sorojini Devi, appealed directly to armed groups, urging them to abandon violence and to stop targeting crowded public spaces. She also asked that perpetrators not carry out violent acts where civilians gather.
Five unique FAQs
Q1: Where exactly did the protest at Nambol take place and who organised it?
A1: The rally and sit-in were held at Nambol Sabal Leikai under Nambol Police Station in Bishnupur district, Manipur, organised by the Nambol Sabal Leikai Apunba Meira Paibis (NSLAMP), a local coordinating committee of Meira Paibi women’s groups.
Q2: What triggered the protest and what were the casualties?
A2: The protest followed an ambush on an Assam Rifles Tata 407 vehicle at the same spot. Two Assam Rifles personnel — Nb. Sub. Shyam Gurung (58) and Rfn. GD Kashav (29) — were killed and five other personnel were injured and taken to RIMS, Imphal for treatment.
Q3: Has anyone been arrested or claimed responsibility?
A3: As of initial reports, no suspect had been arrested and no group had claimed responsibility for the ambush. Security forces had launched search-and-combing operations to locate the perpetrators.
Q4: What immediate steps did authorities take after the ambush?
A4: Officials rushed additional security forces to the area, conducted search and combing operations, and were inspected on-site by senior Assam Rifles and police officers. Shops in the surrounding area reportedly shut down after the ambush.
Q5: How can residents stay safe and help without escalating tensions?
A5: Residents should avoid the ambush area while operations continue, follow official advisories, avoid sharing unverified social media claims, and, if they have credible information, share it with local police. Supporting victims’ families through legitimate community channels and relying on civic groups to convey grievances to authorities are constructive ways to help.
