Fresh violence erupted in the early hours of Thursday at Namlee and Choro villages in Manipur, Kamjong district, triggering panic and fear among villagers as armed militants allegedly stormed the area and opened indiscriminate firing. According to local sources, the incident occurred around 4:30 AM when suspected cadres of the Kuki National Army (KNA)(B) from across the Myanmar border reportedly entered the villages searching for members of the NSCN-IM. Villagers alleged that the armed group began torching houses and firing towards civilians, turning the peaceful villages into a scene of chaos and terror.
During the firing, one civilian belonging to the Burma Vaiphei community reportedly sustained injuries. The condition of the injured person remains unclear at the time of filing this report. Residents, including women and children, were forced to flee their homes in fear as gunshots echoed across the area before dawn. The incident has raised serious questions over security preparedness in the region, particularly regarding the role of the Assam Rifles stationed at Aloyo Outpost, located barely one-and-a-half kilometres away from the affected villages. Locals expressed outrage and disbelief over how heavily armed militants could allegedly enter the area, carry out arson and firing attacks, and create havoc despite the close proximity of security forces. Many residents accused the authorities of failing to protect innocent civilians despite the continued tensions and repeated warnings from locals about militant movements along the border areas.
The fresh violence has once again exposed the fragile security situation prevailing in the hill districts, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict and militant aggression. Fear and uncertainty have gripped the area as residents demand immediate intervention from both the state and central governments to ensure protection of villages and prevent further escalation.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by authority regarding the incident. However, the attack is expected to intensify public scrutiny over the effectiveness of counter-insurgency operations and the accountability of forces deployed in conflict-prone areas.
