Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Manipur MLA Leishiyo Keishing of Phungyar Assembly Constituency in Kamjong district and the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Working Committee strongly condemned the coordinated cross-border assault and demanded an immediate probe into the external aggression.
The demand came after suspected Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) militants, armed resistance groups in Myanmar established by the National Unity Government (NUG) in 2021 to fight the military junta, attacked three Indian villages on Thursday.
The attacks led to the disappearance of two Indian villagers and the torching of at least 15 houses in the villages of Namlee, Wanglee, and Choro in Manipur’s Kamjong district at around 3:30 am on Thursday.
The MLA and TNL urged the Central and State governments to strengthen India’s security forces to drive out the “external aggressors”, stating that the attacks were not part of an internal communal conflict.
MLA Leishiyo Keishing stated that many houses were burned and several tribals in the border areas were injured.
“It appears that the incident was not a communal clash as the victims belonged to the Vaiphei community, not Nagas,” the MLA said.
The Vaiphei are a recognised Scheduled Tribe in Manipur belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group.
He also questioned the role of the Indian security forces deployed along the border over their poor response to the affected villages despite the external aggression. He sought clarification from the Union government on the issue at the earliest.
The MLA noted that the whereabouts of the two villagers who went missing during the attacks are still unknown and urged Indian forces to extend help and assistance in finding them alive.
TNL, in a statement, said that over 15 houses were burned down in Choro village.
The organisation stated that innocent civilians, including women, sustained injuries during the attacks, forcing them to flee into nearby jungles for safety.
TNL also questioned the role of Indian security forces in safeguarding border villages and upholding the sovereignty and security of the Indo-Myanmar border region.