Fresh armed clashes between Naga and Kuki groups erupted in Manipur's Kamjong district on Wednesday, 1 July, resulting in the torching of more than 20 houses in villages near the India-Myanmar border, according to officials. No casualties have been officially reported from Wednesday's incidents.

How the Violence Unfolded

According to a senior police official, the violence began in the morning when armed men allegedly attacked a Naga village from a nearby Kuki village, setting at least 10 houses ablaze. The situation deteriorated further in the afternoon when suspected militants and armed village volunteers allegedly launched retaliatory strikes on other villages in the area.

Officials said at least 12 more houses belonging to the Naga community were burnt in the subsequent violence, bringing the total to over 20 structures destroyed.

Security Response

Security forces were rushed to the affected villages and launched area domination operations to restore normalcy. Officials said the situation remained tense but under close watch, with additional forces deployed to prevent any further escalation.

Kuki Organisation Condemns Attack, Raises Security Concerns

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a leading Kuki organisation, condemned what it called 'the latest act of terror,' stating that a Kuki village in Kamjong district was 'reduced to ashes by armed cadres of Naga groups.'

In a statement, KIM alleged: 'This latest attack is yet another addition to the systematic campaign of violence and destruction targeting Kuki villages in the Tangkhul-dominated hill districts of Manipur. What makes this incident particularly alarming is that the village had been under the protection of the security forces, whose personnel vacated the post only a day before the arson took place. The timing raises serious concerns regarding the security arrangements in vulnerable villages and necessitates an immediate and transparent inquiry into the circumstances that enabled the attack.'

Background: Six Naga Civilians Killed, Apology Rejected

The latest clashes come against the backdrop of rising tensions following the killing of six Naga civilians, whose bodies were recovered on 11 June in Kangpokpi district after they were allegedly abducted on 13 May. That incident triggered widespread protests, counter-economic blockades, and renewed hostility between the two communities.

Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet recently apologised for the killings, admitting at a media address in Churachandpur that 'the Kuki-Zo people made a grave mistake in killing the six Naga civilians, adding that it was done out of emotion.' However, various Naga groups rejected the apology, terming it 'insincere' and demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The fresh violence also follows recent disputes over the movement of essential commodity convoys to Kuki-inhabited areas and demonstrations by various organisations. With both communities hardening their positions, the path to de-escalation in Kamjong and the surrounding hill districts remains deeply uncertain.