Around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, a truck loaded with essential goods was set ablaze on National Highway 37 in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, according to police.

The incident occurred on the stretch between Lhangnom and Old Kaiphundai, two villages with a Kuki population.

The truck, carrying essential commodities and headed toward Noney district, was reportedly stopped and set on fire. Noney district, like Tamenglong, is predominantly inhabited by the Rongmei Naga tribe.

In response, the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation Manipur (RNSOM) has announced a boycott of all supplies to the Kuki community in the two districts, accusing militants from the community of the attack. The RNSOM stated that the boycott is a direct reaction to what they describe as the "irresponsible and violent" actions of Kukis that have disrupted peace in Naga areas.

This incident marks the second targeted attack on vehicles traveling on NH 37, one of the main highways linking Manipur to the rest of the country along with NH 2.

Previously, on April 16, suspected Kuki militants ambushed LPG and oil tankers on the highway, resulting in injuries to one individual.

The latest attack took place along Kimthang Road within the jurisdiction of the Tousem police station, on a stretch also known as the Imphal-Jiribam Road.

It is part of a string of incidents over the past five days since renewed violence broke out in Jiribam district on November 8, ending a period of relative calm following the ethnic clashes that erupted in May last year.

Just this Monday, security forces engaged in a heavy firefight with armed militants in Jiribam, resulting in the deaths of eleven suspected insurgents.