Imphal: Fresh violence erupted along the volatile Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Wednesday after a series of alleged attacks targeted villages inhabited by both Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities, further escalating tensions in the region.
According to local reports, Kongkan Thana and Shangkalok, two Tangkhul Naga villages located near the international border, came under attack by suspected Kuki armed cadres operating from across Myanmar. Several houses were reportedly set ablaze, forcing residents to flee into nearby forests to escape the violence.
In a separate incident, the Kuki village of Phaimol was allegedly torched in the early hours of Wednesday. Local reports claimed that armed cadres of the NSCN-IM and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) were responsible for the attack, resulting in extensive damage to the settlement.
The incidents drew strong condemnation from the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body representing the Kuki community. In a statement, the organisation alleged that the attack on Phaimol was part of a broader pattern of violence targeting Kuki villages in Tangkhul-dominated areas and urged authorities to take immediate steps to prevent further escalation.
KIM also questioned the security arrangements in the area, claiming that personnel of the Assam Rifles, who had been stationed near Phaimol village, vacated their post a day before the alleged arson attack. The organisation called for a transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal and sought accountability for what it described as lapses in security.
Appealing to both the state and Central governments, KIM demanded stronger security measures to safeguard vulnerable border villages and ensure the protection of civilians. The organisation stressed that those responsible for attacks on civilian settlements should be identified and brought to justice.
Meanwhile, security forces have been placed on high alert across the affected areas as authorities monitor the situation. Residents living along the Indo-Myanmar border have also urged the government to deploy additional security personnel to prevent further cross-border incursions and restore normalcy.