Thousands of people turned up for a solidarity march cum candlelight vigil at Ukhrul Headquarters in honour of Late. Chinaoshang Shokwungnao of Tashar Village and Late. Yaruingam Vashum of Kharasom CV who were killed by suspected Armed Kuki Militants on 18 April 2026 at TM. Kasom, Ukhrul District, Manipur, along National Highway 202.
The three day total shutdown called by United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women Union (NWU) culminated today with candlelight vigils in all the Naga areas in Manipur.
In Ukhrul Headquarters, the rally started from two points – one from TKS Office, Hamleikhong and the other from Mission Ground, Awontang and converged at Ukhrul Headquarters Ground.
Organised by Tangkhul CSOs under the aegis of UNC, the rallyists could be seen shouting slogans:
“We Condemned the massacre of two Naga Civilians’
“Government of India Stop The Proxy War Against The Nagas”
“Urra Uvie (Our Land Is Ours)
The message by Ng. Lorho, the President of UNC was read out to the gathering. “We are gathered here this evening not in celebration, but in grief. We light these candles for two sons of our soil — Mr. S.W. Chinaoshang and Mr. Yaruingam Vashum. Innocent passengers. Ordinary men on an ordinary journey home. On April 18, 2026, their journey was cut short between Litan and T.M. Kasom. They were waylaid. They were killed. Not in battle, but in a cold, orchestrated ambush.
“This was not just an attack on two men. This was an attack on every Naga who travels our highways. An attack on our right to live, to move, to exist without fear in our own land. NH-202 is not a war zone. It is a lifeline. And when blood is spilled on it, the silence of those who must protect us becomes louder than the gunfire.
“And let us speak plainly: the Government of India cannot wash its hands of this. For months, armed groups have moved freely along our highways under the shadow of the Suspension of Operations agreement. Central forces are present, yet Nagas are killed in broad daylight on national highways. If this is not complicity through inaction, what is it? Protection cannot be selective. Security cannot be conditional. When the Centre fails to disarm those who kill civilians, it becomes a party to the crime.
“Owing to this tragedy, the United Naga Council called for three days of mourning. For three days we shut down, not to inconvenience our people, but to show the weight of our loss. To show that when one Naga falls, all Nagas feel the ground shake.
“Today we do not gather for revenge. We gather for remembrance. We gather to tell the families of Chinaoshang and Yaruingam: Your sons did not die unnoticed. Their names are spoken tonight in every Naga headquarters. In Imphal, Kohima, in every range and village, in every home where a candle burns.
“And as we mourn, let this also be seen: Naga grief knows no state borders. From Manipur to Nagaland, from Assam to Arunachal, from Myanmar to wherever our people live — we light these candles together. Our pain is shared, and so is our resolve. The bullets that struck our brothers at T.M. Kasom were felt in every Naga village. Because we are one people. One history. One destiny. No line on a map can divide that truth.
“To the Kukis, we say this: Our suspension of ties these three days is our traditional way of grief. It is not hatred. It is mourning. But let it be understood — our patience, our commitment to peace, must never be mistaken for weakness.
“To our youth, we say: Hold these flames high, but keep your hearts disciplined. Our strength has always been in our unity, in our dignity, in our refusal to become what we condemn.
“As these candles burn, let each flame stand for a promise. A promise that S.W. Chinaoshang and Yaruingam Vashum will not be reduced to statistics. A promise that we will protect the living so no more mothers wait for sons who will never come home. A promise that peace, when it returns, will be a peace with dignity.
“May their souls rest in peace. May their memory bind us closer across every border” stated the message of UNC.
Candlelight Vigil was held at Kohima, Imphal and all Naga areas.
