Kamjong: The Office of the Chassad Village Authority, Kamjong Block, Kamjong District, Manipur-79145, has in its Press Release Ref No. 04/2026/CV-PR-01 dated 18 October 2026, expressed grave concern and anguish over continuing incidents of violence, killings and armed attacks affecting Chassad Village and surrounding areas since 9 October 2026, alleging failure of concerned Government authorities in Kamjong District to take adequate preventive and protective measures.
Detailing the sequence of violence under the heading “Repeated Killings and Alleged Administrative Inaction Since 9 October 2026”, the Authority stated that on 9 October 2026, Smt. Domkhonei Touthang, wife of Shri Lallenmang Touthang, was reportedly shot dead in an incident allegedly involving Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and police personnel, and the subsequent firing also claimed the life of Mr. Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, son of Shri Paothang Haokip, raising serious questions regarding conduct of security personnel and protection of innocent civilians.
The Authority observed that despite the gravity of these two deaths, it has received no satisfactory information regarding effective corrective measures, accountability or credible steps taken by the concerned district authorities to prevent further violence, and this silence has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among villagers who depend on the district administration for protection.
The press release further documents that on 15 October 2026, Smt. Hatneikim Haokip of Molvailup Village was reportedly shot dead in an alleged ambush by NSCN(IM) cadres along the Phaikoh-Molvailup road. The Authority said the apparent lack of an effective security response to this incident has further intensified public concern over safety of civilians travelling through the region, particularly women and daily wage earners.
The most recent and grave incident, according to the Authority, occurred on 17 October 2026, when members of the Chassad Village Authority and other villagers were engaged in repairing electricity lines to restore power to the village, when firing reportedly originated from the direction of Kamjong Police Station. Five persons were reportedly injured and Mr. Seikhohao Haokip, husband of Hatneihoi Haokip and son of Thangkhochon Haokip, was tragically shot dead.
File Photo: Chassad Village Authority’s press release dated 18 Oct 2026 demands CRPF and Assam Rifles deployment after 4 killings.
The Authority termed it particularly concerning that security personnel, including Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, were reportedly present at the Police Station during the incident, and that reports that one IRB personnel and one police personnel approached the electricity-line repair party shortly before the firing commenced, and subsequently left the location, require urgent and impartial examination by an independent agency.
Under the heading “Concerns Regarding Alleged Coordination”, the Village Authority has stated that serious allegations have emerged regarding possible coordination or cooperation involving SNA, NSCN(IM), its Eastern Flank, Khanuithot, and certain IRB and police personnel in connection with incidents affecting Chassad Village, noting that the presence of security personnel in the vicinity raises important questions regarding circumstances of firing and measures taken to protect civilians.
The Authority also issued a strong rebuttal of allegations against KNA-B. It stated, “We strongly reject allegations claiming that KNA-B was responsible for burning Chassad Village. We maintain that these accusations are false, misleading and unsupported by credible evidence.” It said such narrative is being used to divert investigation from actual perpetrators and to malign the Kuki community’s own defense groups.
In view of deteriorating security situation and serious concerns regarding conduct and impartiality of certain local security personnel, the Chassad Village Authority has placed six specific demands. These include immediate deployment of sufficient Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in and around Chassad Village to protect civilians and prevent further violence, and review and withdrawal or reassignment of police personnel stationed at Kamjong Police Station whose conduct or impartiality is under question.
The third and fourth demands are deployment of Assam Rifles personnel and consideration of replacing existing local security arrangements with an impartial security deployment under competent authorities, and a time-bound, independent investigation into all incidents since 9 October 2026, including deaths of Smt. Domkhonei Touthang, Mr. Michael Ngamminlen Haokip and Smt. Hatneikim Haokip, the firing of 17 October, and allegations of collusion or misconduct involving security personnel.
The remaining demands include protection of civilians with immediate and effective measures to safeguard Chassad residents, village leaders, electricity-repair workers and civilians travelling through vulnerable areas from further attacks, threats and intimidation, and accountability for administrative inaction with a formal explanation from concerned authorities regarding security arrangements, preventive measures, investigations and actions undertaken since 9 October.
Declaring loss of confidence in Kamjong District authorities and appealing for Central intervention, the Authority stated that repeated loss of innocent lives, continuing armed attacks and perceived absence of adequate preventive measures have severely eroded confidence of people of Chassad Village in concerned Government authorities stationed in Kamjong District, and that pattern of inaction suggests institutional bias.
The release further stated, “We have lost trust and faith in the concerned Government authorities based in Kamjong District, as we believe their actions and omissions have demonstrated a pattern of favouritism towards the opposing community at the expense of the safety, rights and security of the people of Chassad Village.” It said despite incidents beginning on 9 October and subsequent loss of four civilian lives, no measures capable of restoring public confidence have been witnessed.
Under these circumstances, the Authority said it can no longer rely solely on existing district-level security arrangements to guarantee protection of lives and properties, and therefore urgently appealed to Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Manipur and competent higher security authorities to intervene directly, initiate independent inquiry into alleged partiality and administrative failures, and ensure deployment of impartial Central security forces, particularly CRPF and Assam Rifles.
The Authority concluded that protection of life and property must never be determined by ethnic identity, community affiliation or political influence, and that rule of law must prevail without fear, favour or discrimination, demanding justice for deceased, accountability for violence, impartial security arrangements and immediate action to prevent further loss of innocent lives, as issued by Chassad Village Authority, Kamjong District, Manipur.
A right and practical step.