Kamjong, June 11: A deadly armed clash along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Kamjong district has left four villagers dead and two others injured, while more than 15 residential houses were reportedly reduced to ashes in Kulthuh village, according to a statement issued by the Eastern Command of the Naga Village Guard (NVG).
In a strongly worded press statement released on Thursday, the NVG alleged that the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) launched an attack on Kulthuh village, a Kuki settlement located within the jurisdiction of Tangkhul Naga ancestral land along the Indo-Myanmar border under Kamjong Sub-Division. The organization claimed that the assault resulted in the deaths of four villagers, injuries to two others, and widespread destruction of property.
According to the statement, the attack was reportedly linked to internal disputes between the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) and the KNA-B over territorial control along the international border. The NVG further cited allegations suggesting that the violence may have been carried out as retaliation for the non-payment of alleged narcotics trade taxes demanded by the KNA-B over an extended period.
The NVG stated that its personnel, who have been maintaining patrols and vigilance along the border region following previous incidents of violence in Choro, Wanglee, and Namlee villages, rushed to defend Kulthuh village after receiving reports of armed intrusion at around 3:30 a.m.
During the ensuing exchange of fire, which reportedly lasted for nearly 30 minutes, one member of the Naga Village Guard sustained injuries while engaging the attackers.
Condemning the incident, the NVG Eastern Command described the attack as a continuation of what it termed “external aggression” in the ancestral land of the Tangkhul Nagas. The organization linked the latest violence to the coordinated attacks allegedly carried out on May 7 against Choro, Wanglee and Namlee villages, blaming armed groups operating from across the Myanmar border.
“The attack has caused loss of innocent lives, destruction of homes and renewed fear among border residents,” the statement said, adding that the repeated incidents have raised serious concerns about security in the remote frontier region.
Despite blaming the armed incursion for the violence, the NVG expressed condolences to the families of the four deceased villagers and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Reaffirming its position, the Naga Village Guard declared its commitment to safeguarding the land, identity and security of the Naga people along the border areas. It warned that any future attempts to disturb peace and security in the region would be met with an appropriate response.
The incident is likely to further heighten tensions in the already volatile Indo-Myanmar border region, where armed group activities and recurring clashes have continued to pose serious challenges to civilian safety and stability.
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