Suspected Kuki Militants Launch Attack on Naga Villages in Manipur’s Kamjong District

In a troubling escalation of violence in Manipur, suspected Kuki militants, reportedly based in Myanmar, have launched an armed attack on several Naga villages within the Kamjong district. This incident, which unfolded on Thursday, has raised significant concerns regarding security and communal harmony in the region.

According to reports, approximately 100 heavily armed individuals targeted three villages—Choro, Wanglee, and Namlee—situated near the international border with Myanmar. The Tangkhul Nagas, the predominant community in Kamjong, have been particularly affected. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the assailants indiscriminately fired at residents and set ablaze 18 houses, intensifying fears among local populations.

The Tangkhul Naga Long, a leading community organization, confirmed that at least two individuals suffered gunshot injuries during the attack. In addition, reports indicate that several villagers were taken hostage and subjected to torture by the militant group. This incident follows a recent spate of violence on April 24, which saw three individuals lose their lives and many others injured in confrontations between the Kuki and Naga communities in Ukhrul district.

Leishiyo Keishing, the MLA representing the Naga People’s Front for the Phungyar constituency, has alleged that the assault was orchestrated by militant groups operating from across the Myanmar border, namely the Kuki National Army (Burma) and the People’s Defence Force. Keishing revealed that two individuals were reportedly abducted during the attack before the militants retreated back to Myanmar.

This latest violence marks a shift from internal conflicts that have predominantly characterized the region, with Keishing emphasizing that the incident reflects a form of external aggression. As tensions continue to rise between the Kuki and Naga factions, the need for dialogue and intervention becomes increasingly urgent to restore peace and stability in Manipur.

Source: scroll.in