Manipur: Suspected Kuki Militants Set Tangkhul Naga Village Ablaze in Kamjong
Suspected Kuki militants allegedly set fire to Skipe, a Tangkhul Naga village along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Kamjong district, at around 5 am on Sunday amid escalating tensions between Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities.
The village, which has around 30 houses, was reportedly deserted as residents had fled due to security concerns. 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 or reported any casualties.
Skipe is located 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 MLA Leishiyo Keishing had earlier assured them that Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel would be deployed for their protection. However, they claimed the forces remained stationed at Kangpat Khunou, around 11 kilometres away.
The incident followed a series of violent attacks across Kamjong district over the weekend. On Saturday evening, at least 15 houses belonging to Kuki residents were reportedly torched in Chassad village, forcing dozens of people to seek shelter in nearby forests and an Army camp. The incident reportedly followed an earlier ambush in which one Kuki civilian was killed and four others were injured.
In another incident on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained gunshot injuries during a clash involving rival armed groups near the Kamjong district headquarters.
A joint security team comprising the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF) and Kamjong Police was deployed in sensitive border areas to prevent further violence.
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 people.
Kipgen said the district administration, police and central security forces had been directed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, protect civilians and property, and apprehend those responsible for the incidents.
