Renewed Violence Erupts in Manipur's Kamjong District
Violence Breaks Out in Manipur
Several houses were reportedly reduced to ashes.
Imphal, July 1: Fresh outbreaks of violence occurred in the Kamjong district of Manipur on Wednesday, with multiple villages along the Indo-Myanmar border reportedly set ablaze. This has led to conflicting claims from Kuki and Naga groups regarding who is responsible for the attacks.
Reports indicate that Phaimol, a Kuki village, along with Kongkan Thana and Shangkalok, two villages inhabited by the Tangkhul Naga, were among those affected by the recent arson incidents.
While several homes were destroyed, the full extent of the damage and any potential casualties could not be independently confirmed at the time of this report.
The violence has reignited accusations between Kuki and Naga organizations, with each side blaming the other for orchestrating the attacks.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) issued a strong statement claiming that Phaimol village was assaulted by members of the NSCN-IM in collaboration with the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), an armed faction based in Myanmar.
KIM stated that the attackers crossed the Indo-Myanmar border early Wednesday morning before igniting the village.
"What is particularly concerning is that the village had been under the protection of the Assam Rifles, whose personnel left their post just a day prior to the incident. This timing raises significant questions about the security measures in place for vulnerable villages and calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into how the attack was allowed to occur," the organization remarked.
Conversely, Naga village leaders provided a different narrative, accusing Kuki armed factions, including the Kuki National Army-B (KNA-B), of setting fire to homes in Kongkan Thana and Shangkalok.
They asserted that the attacks happened almost simultaneously and accused Kuki militants of intentionally heightening tensions in the area.
Naga authorities are demanding the swift deployment of adequate security forces, restoration of peace, and strict action against those responsible for the assaults on civilian properties.
Both Kuki and Naga groups have urged the Union Government, the Manipur Government, and security agencies to take immediate action to avert further violence and ensure the safety of civilians in this sensitive border area.
At the time of this report, none of the claims made by either side could be independently verified.
Authorities, including the Manipur Police and Assam Rifles, had not released any official statements confirming the events or identifying those accountable for the attacks.
Security forces have been deployed in the affected regions to prevent further escalation, while officials continue to monitor the situation and evaluate the damage.