Fresh violence broke out in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Wednesday as clashes between Naga and Kuki groups resulted in over 20 houses being set on fire near the India-Myanmar border. The conflict started in the morning with an attack on a Naga village by armed individuals from a nearby Kuki village, leading to the burning of 10 houses. Subsequently, suspected militants and armed volunteers launched retaliatory attacks on other villages, burning an additional 12 houses belonging to the Naga community.
Security forces were deployed to the affected areas to restore peace, with ongoing monitoring to prevent further escalation. These clashes follow heightened tensions between the Naga and Kuki communities after the discovery of six bodies in Kangpokpi district on June 11, sparking protests and renewed hostilities. Recent disputes over the movement of essential commodities to Kuki-inhabited areas have also fueled the unrest.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) condemned the violence, describing it as part of a targeted campaign against Kuki villages in Manipur’s hill districts. Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) Chairman expressed regret over the killing of six Naga civilians, calling for a transparent investigation into the ongoing ethnic conflicts in the state. Despite this, Naga groups have rejected the apology, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings.
