Congress leaders visited three Myanmar border villages in Kamjong district, distributed relief supplies and demanded security deployment for residents living in fear after the May 7 attack.
A delegation of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Sunday visited three villages in Kamjong district bordering Myanmar that were attacked last month by armed militants who allegedly infiltrated from across the international border, and extended relief assistance to affected residents who continue to live under fear and uncertainty.
The Congress team visited Z Choro, Wangli and Namli villages, which were attacked during the early hours of May 7. During the visit, the delegation distributed essential food supplies and interacted with villagers, village leaders and local representatives to assess the situation on the ground.
According to the party, the residents of the three villages continue to face severe hardships nearly a month after the incident. Many villagers remain reluctant to spend nights in their homes due to security concerns and are reportedly taking shelter in nearby forests after dark.
The delegation was sent under the guidance of former Chief Minister and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Okram Ibobi Singh. The team comprised MPCC Working President Victor Keishing, Khangabok MLA Okram Surjakumar, former minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, former MLA Amin Shah, Vice-President Kh Devabrata and General Secretary (Organisation) Amir Hussain.
During the visit, the Congress leaders inspected houses, market sheds and vehicles that had been destroyed in the attack. They also met residents and village authorities to understand the challenges being faced by the communities living along the international border.
According to accounts shared by villagers, the attack has left residents traumatised and fearful. Several houses remain locked, while many families are continuing to survive under difficult circumstances.
The villagers informed the delegation that despite repeated requests to the State Government and visiting ministers for security deployment, no permanent security arrangement has been established in the affected villages. They said the absence of security forces has forced many residents to seek refuge in forested areas every night.
The Congress delegation held discussions with several local leaders, including Kashung Village Headman Saimreiphang, Kaka Upper Village Headman P Hungyo, Z Choro Village Headman Kaphung Yui, Kaka Aje Village Headman H Ashang, Namli village leader Eric alias Aamu, LABS Working Committee Secretary Machinmi Shinglai and Makan Village Headman Ramthingam Mungkung.
The village leaders told the delegation that gunfire could still be heard from nearby areas during the night, contributing to a persistent sense of insecurity among residents.
They urged the Congress leaders to press the State Government to immediately deploy security personnel in the affected villages and other vulnerable border areas. The leaders argued that repeated assurances regarding the protection of Manipur's territorial integrity would carry little meaning if the people living along the state's international border continued to remain unprotected.
The leaders questioned whether the Government had overlooked the plight of border residents despite their role in safeguarding the frontier. They stressed that protecting remote border villages should be a priority and called for urgent intervention.
Speaking to the villagers, Victor Keishing said the Government should take immediate measures to ensure the safety of the affected communities.
He stated that residents should not be forced to abandon their homes or spend nights in forests due to fear. Keishing urged the Government to deploy adequate security forces in the villages without further delay.
He further suggested that if the State Government was unable to provide sufficient security personnel because of manpower constraints, it should consider recruiting local youth into Village Defence Forces, provide them with proper training and equipment, and enable them to participate in the protection of their communities.
Keishing also criticised what he described as the neglect of border villages by both the State and Central Governments.
He said the conditions of basic infrastructure in many border villages remained poor, with inadequate roads, unreliable electricity supply, weak mobile connectivity and limited healthcare facilities.
Referring to the aftermath of the May 7 incident, Keishing noted that a team of ministers and legislators led by State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam had visited the affected villages on May 9 and listened to the grievances of residents.
However, he expressed disappointment that nearly a month later, villagers had yet to witness substantial relief measures, developmental initiatives or long-term security arrangements.
Congress MLA Okram Surjakumar, who was part of the delegation, also voiced concern over the security situation in the border region.
He observed that following the attack by armed groups that allegedly crossed into Manipur from Myanmar, residents of Z Choro, Wangli, Namli and neighbouring villages continued to live in uncertainty and fear.
Surjakumar assured villagers that the Congress party would raise the issue with the State Government and continue to advocate for stronger security measures and assistance for the affected communities.
He said the concerns expressed by villagers deserved immediate attention and that the Government must act to restore public confidence in the border region.
The MLA also highlighted the developmental potential of the area, noting that the region bordering Myanmar could serve as an important trade corridor in the future.
He recalled that during the Congress-led government, the road connecting Imphal and Kasom Khullen had been developed with assistance from the Asian Development Bank.
According to Surjakumar, infrastructure development in the area has since slowed considerably. He alleged that roads leading to villages such as Namli, Wangli and Z Choro remain in poor condition, affecting connectivity and economic opportunities for local residents.
The MPCC delegation concluded its visit by distributing relief materials to affected villagers.
According to party leaders, the relief assistance included 200 bags of rice, 15 bags of pulses, five bags of onions, cooking oil and salt.
The Congress leaders stated that while the relief supplies may offer temporary support, the larger concerns raised by residents—particularly security, rehabilitation and infrastructure development—require urgent and sustained attention from the Government.
The visit comes amid continuing concerns over security along Manipur's international border with Myanmar, where local communities have repeatedly called for stronger protection measures and improved infrastructure to address both security and developmental challenges.
For many residents of Z Choro, Wangli and Namli, the immediate priority remains the restoration of safety and normalcy, enabling families to return to their homes and resume their daily lives without fear.
