The Working Committee of the Joint Tribes Council, Manipur (JTC-Manipur), has strongly condemned the reported burning and destruction of Gaidunluang Naga Village in Khedagor area of Tousem Sub-Division, Tamenglong district, on September 13, 2026, and demanded an immediate independent investigation into the incident.
According to a First Information Report (FIR) submitted on September 13 by Jaiholiu Pamei, Head of Gaidunluang Village, to the Officer-in-Charge of Tousem/Kainmai Police Station, around 10 households and structures, including the village church, were reportedly completely burnt down during the late evening of September 13. The FIR alleged that the attack and burning were carried out by Kuki militants and urged police to investigate and establish the identities of those responsible.
The FIR further stated that personnel of CRPF 48 Battalion from Makha Basti Post, Jiribam district, had reached the village as a precautionary measure and instructed residents to leave the area for their safety. According to the village head, the villagers complied and left safely, but by evening, houses were reportedly burnt down, including livestock.
The village head said the prevailing security situation had prevented residents from safely returning to the affected site to assess the extent of damage. The FIR requested police to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation, provide security to affected villagers, and facilitate safe access for assessment and recovery of their remaining properties.
The JTC-Manipur, meanwhile, expressed deep anguish over the incident and solidarity with the affected families. It alleged that armed Kuki groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework were responsible, naming the Kuki Liberation Front (KLF), Kuki National Front (P) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), among others. These allegations have been called for investigation.
The committee also criticised what it described as unequal treatment of Naga villagers, particularly alleging raids and seizure of licensed firearms by CRPF/Cobra personnel while armed groups allegedly operate freely.
The JTC-Manipur demanded a judicial inquiry or an investigation monitored by the National Human Rights Commission, immediate relief and compensation for affected families, permanent security deployment in Gaidunluang and surrounding Naga villages, and accountability for those found responsible for the attack.
It also called for the return of legally licensed firearms allegedly seized from villagers, wherever legally permissible, and urged authorities to ensure equal protection for all communities.
The FIR and the JTC-Manipur statement both underscore the need for an impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the burning, identify those responsible and assess the full extent of damage suffered by the villagers.
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