Imphal: Suspected Kuki militants set fire to Skipe, a Tangkhul Naga village along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Kamjong district, early Sunday, amid a fresh wave of violence involving Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities.

The village, comprising around 30 houses, was reportedly deserted when the fire broke out at about 5 am, as residents had fled amid growing insecurity. Police personnel previously stationed in the area had also reportedly left their outpost before the incident.

Authorities had not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage, the number of houses destroyed or whether there were any casualties.

Skipe is around four kilometres from Pilong, where four Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed in an ambush on September 24 near border pillars 91 to 93.

Residents said their elected representative, MLA Leishiyo Keishing, had earlier assured them that Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel would be deployed to protect the village. However, they said the forces remained stationed at Kangpat Khunou, around 11 kilometres away.

The arson came amid a series of violent incidents across Kamjong district over the weekend.

On Saturday evening, at least 15 homes belonging to Kuki residents were reportedly set on fire in Chassad village, forcing dozens of people to take shelter in nearby forests and an Army camp. Officials said the incident followed an earlier ambush in which one Kuki civilian was killed and four others were injured.

In a separate incident on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians were shot and wounded in a clash involving rival armed groups near the Kamjong district headquarters.

A joint security column comprising the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force and Kamjong Police was deployed in volatile border areas to prevent further violence, officials said.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the attacks on civilian homes and expressed condolences over the death of the Kuki civilian. She also voiced concern over displaced families and injured persons.

Kipgen said the district administration, police and central security forces had been directed to maintain round-the-clock vigil to protect civilians, property and apprehend those responsible.