Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday held a key security meeting with representatives of the Khamlang Village Authority at the New Civil Secretariat in Mantripukhri following a devastating cross-border arson attack allegedly carried out by suspected cadres of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) in Kamjong district.
The meeting came a day after armed militants allegedly crossed the border and attacked Kherongruen and Huimine Thana villages, setting ablaze 25 houses and 11 refugee camps. The incident triggered widespread outrage among residents, who have demanded that the 11 Assam Rifles be replaced with State security forces in the affected areas.
Sharing details of the meeting on Facebook, the Chief Minister said, “I met Shri S. Themmishang, representing the Village Authority of Khamlang, Kamjong District, at the New Civil Secretariat, Mantripukhri, and discussed developmental initiatives for the village. The Government remains committed to the effective implementation of the Government of India’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) to strengthen border villages, improve livelihoods, and promote inclusive development.”
According to local sources, the suspected KNA-B militants launched the attack on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to homes and other properties, with losses estimated to run into several lakhs of rupees. The Ramphoi (Nambisha) Village Authority strongly condemned the incident and alleged that personnel of the nearby 11 Assam Rifles, whose post is located about 100 metres from the attack site, failed to respond despite being in close proximity.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable border communities through the Vibrant Villages Programme, stating that the initiative aims to enhance infrastructure, improve livelihoods and ensure inclusive development in frontier regions.
Meanwhile, angry residents have accused the 11 Assam Rifles of displaying bias and allegedly providing misleading information to district authorities regarding the weapons used in the attack. Villagers claimed that while the Border Security Force (BSF) detachment stationed at Kherongruen accurately reported that the attackers used sophisticated automatic firearms, the accounts submitted by the Assam Rifles differed significantly.
The affected villagers have urged both the Central and State governments to take immediate steps to restore law and order, conduct a fair assessment of the incident, and deploy impartial State security forces to ensure the safety and security of civilians living in the border areas.