Tensions have gripped the hill region of Manipur after suspected militants launched a late-night raid on Chassad, a Kuki village situated within the Kamjong district. During the assault, the attackers torched a minimum of 15 houses, leaving large sections of the residential area in ruins and compelling terrified residents to escape toward nearby forests and a local Army camp for protection.
Escalation Following Daytime Gunfire
The destructive arson came in the wake of an earlier daytime assault on the exact same settlement on Saturday. During the initial confrontation, suspected armed individuals opened indiscriminate fire on the village, resulting in the death of one Kuki civilian. Four other individuals sustained bullet injuries during the exchange and required urgent medical attention.
Joint Security Forces Deployed
In response to the deteriorating security situation, authorities moved swiftly to stabilize the region. A combined operational column consisting of personnel from the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force, and the Kamjong Police has been dispatched to the area to restore order and establish control, according to official police statements.
Official Condemnation and Directives
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen strongly condemned the series of attacks, voicing profound grief over the loss of civilian life and expressing deep concern for the wounded village leaders and displaced families. Characterizing the deliberate burning of homes as an intolerable crime, Kipgen stated that she has issued strict directives to the district administration, state police forces, and security personnel to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, safeguard civilian lives and property, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, as noted in a report.
Separate Incident in District Headquarters
In a parallel development on the same Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained gunshot wounds at the Kamjong district headquarters. The injuries occurred when armed groups originating from another community launched an attack on that specific area, compounding the security challenges facing the district.
