Manipur: Fresh Violence Erupts in Kamjong
Several villages were set ablaze in Kamjong district as Kuki and Naga organisations exchanged allegations over the attacks, while the Manipur Government assured security and relief measures.
IMPHAL- Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Wednesday after several villages along the Indo-Myanmar border were reportedly set on fire, prompting competing claims by Kuki and Naga organisations over responsibility for the attacks.
According to reports from the affected area, Phaimol, a Kuki village, and Kongkan Thana and Shangkalok, two Tangkhul Naga villages, were among the settlements impacted by the latest incidents of arson. Several houses were reportedly reduced to ashes, although the full extent of the damage and any casualties could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
The incidents triggered a fresh exchange of allegations between Kuki and Naga organisations, with each side accusing the other of carrying out coordinated attacks.
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In a statement, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) alleged that Phaimol village was attacked by cadres of the NSCN-IM in collaboration with the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), an armed group operating from Myanmar. The organisation claimed that the attackers crossed the Indo-Myanmar border in the early hours of Wednesday before setting the village on fire.
KIM also expressed concern over security arrangements, alleging that the village had been under the protection of the Assam Rifles until security personnel vacated the post a day before the alleged attack. The organisation called for an immediate and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
However, Naga village authorities rejected the allegations and instead accused Kuki armed groups, including cadres of the Kuki National Army-B (KNA-B), of torching houses in Kongkan Thana and Shangkalok. They claimed the attacks occurred almost simultaneously and alleged that Kuki militant groups were attempting to escalate tensions in the sensitive border region.
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The Naga authorities demanded immediate deployment of adequate security forces, restoration of peace, and strict action against those responsible for attacking civilian settlements.
Both Kuki and Naga organisations appealed to the Union Government, the Manipur Government, and security agencies to intervene promptly to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of civilians residing along the Indo-Myanmar border.
Meanwhile, Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas, accompanied by senior government officials, visited the violence-affected villages in Kamjong district to assess the situation and interact with local residents.
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According to official sources, villages including Wanglee, Namlee, and Z Choro were among those affected by the recent violence carried out by armed miscreants.
During the visit, the Home Minister assured villagers that the State Government would provide adequate security and necessary assistance. He also appealed to residents and representatives of civil society organisations to cooperate with the government in restoring peace and normalcy in the region.
Six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) accompanied the Home Minister during the visit.
The latest incidents underscore the continuing security challenges in Manipur’s border districts, where ethnic tensions and sporadic violence have remained a matter of concern despite ongoing efforts by the authorities to restore peace.
