Fresh arson attacks on Kuki and Tangkhul Naga villages in Manipur's Kamjong district have intensified border tensions, with rival organisations trading allegations, an MLA claiming cross-border militant involvement, and renewed calls for stronger security deployment.
Imphal, July 1: Fresh violence erupted along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur's Kamjong district on Wednesday after villages inhabited by Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities were set ablaze in separate incidents, with rival organisations accusing each other of carrying out coordinated attacks.
There was no immediate official confirmation on the sequence of events or the identities of those responsible, while security forces were reported to be assessing the situation in the sensitive border region.
According to multiple community sources, the violence began around midday at Phaimol, a Kuki village located near Border Pillar 113, where several unidentified persons allegedly entered the village and set houses on fire.
Reports from Kuki organisations said between 15 and 20 houses were destroyed in the blaze. Most of the village had already been vacated weeks earlier due to prevailing security concerns, with residents taking shelter at an Assam Rifles relief camp at Ashi village. Only the village church was reportedly left standing after the fire.
Shortly afterwards, reports emerged that houses in a Tangkhul Naga settlement near Border Pillar 101 were also torched.
While some local sources identified the affected village as Sankhalok, the Eastern Command of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) stated that the attacks targeted Huimin Thana and Kherongram, a hamlet of Nampisha village. The NVG claimed that 20 houses in Kherongram, including refugee shelters housing displaced Myanmar nationals, and seven houses in Huimin Thana were destroyed.
The conflicting accounts could not be independently verified.
Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing alleged that armed cadres of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) crossed into Indian territory from Myanmar and carried out attacks on Tangkhul villages.
He claimed at least 12 houses and a small market area were burnt at Kongkan Thana and described the Indo-Myanmar border villages as among the most vulnerable areas in the state because of poor road connectivity, sparse population and the presence of armed groups operating across the international border.
Keishing also referred to Phaimol village, saying it had already been abandoned several weeks earlier before being burnt.
The legislator urged the Manipur government to reinforce security deployment in the border region and sought the deployment of what he described as neutral security forces, including the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), alleging that local residents have little confidence in the existing security arrangements.
He questioned how attacks could occur close to security force positions, noting that Kongkan Thana lies only a few kilometres from an Assam Rifles post.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) strongly condemned the burning of Phaimol village, alleging that cadres of the NSCN-IM, assisted by the Myanmar-based Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), were responsible.
KIM described the incident as part of what it called a continuing pattern of attacks on Kuki villages in Manipur's hill districts.
The organisation also questioned the security arrangements around Phaimol, alleging that an Assam Rifles post protecting the village had been vacated a day before the incident. It called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
KIM further urged both the Union and state governments to strengthen security along the Indo-Myanmar border and investigate what it described as repeated attacks on Kuki settlements during 2026.
The organisation also questioned how cadres of the NSCN-IM, which is under a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India, could allegedly continue such operations without decisive action.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Kamjong District, also condemned the incident.
Both organisations alleged that the attack formed part of a broader campaign targeting Kuki-Zo villages and demanded immediate security operations, arrest of those responsible and stronger protection for civilians living in vulnerable border areas.
The Eastern Command of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) issued a separate statement rejecting allegations against Naga groups.
Instead, it claimed Kuki militants, allegedly acting with support from the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), deliberately set fire to the abandoned Phaimol village to create a pretext for launching attacks on Tangkhul Naga settlements.
According to the NVG, around 20 armed men crossed the Namya River from Myanmar before attacking Huimin Thana and Kherongram.
The organisation claimed the attacks occurred despite the presence of Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, India Reserve Battalion and police personnel stationed nearby.
It further alleged that similar tactics had been employed before attacks on Tangkhul villages in May this year.
The NVG warned Tangkhul villagers living along the Indo-Myanmar border to remain vigilant and stated that Naga communities would continue to defend their villages against future attacks.
Wednesday's incidents underscore the growing volatility in Manipur's eastern border areas, where tensions between Naga and Kuki armed groups have intensified in recent months.
The region's proximity to Myanmar, coupled with allegations of cross-border militant movement, has added another dimension to the conflict, prompting repeated calls from community organisations and public representatives for stronger security deployment.
As of Wednesday evening, authorities had not released an official account of the incidents or confirmed casualty figures. The claims and counterclaims made by the rival organisations remain independently unverified.
