Kamjong: The Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association (EKCA), headquartered in Chassad, Kamjong District, Manipur, has issued a strong condemnation on October 11, 2026, against the personnel of the 11th Assam Rifles for allegedly arresting and punishing two members of the Kuki Village Guard (KVG). The association released a statement along with a photograph claiming to show the two village guards being detained at night.
According to the EKCA, the action by the Assam Rifles is unwarranted and has come at a time when the villagers of Chassad are going through a period of profound distress. The association stated that the incident is deeply painful, unjust, and insensitive given the prevailing situation in the area. It termed the enforcement as selective and unreasonable.
The EKCA, in its condemnation note, has linked the incident to recent violence in Chassad. It stated that it is a matter of record that two villagers from Chassad recently lost their lives due to alleged brutal actions involving the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and the NSCN-IM on October 9th and 10th. The association said the village is currently mourning the death of its residents.
The chiefs’ body expressed anguish that while the villagers are mourning their dead, security forces have chosen to target village guards who, according to them, are responsible for protecting the villagers. The EKCA described the arrest of the KVG members as abhorrent and said it deserves the highest level of condemnation from all right-thinking citizens.
The Kuki Village Guard is a local village-level volunteer group formed for the protection of villages in the region. The EKCA has been vocal about security issues concerning villages under its jurisdiction in the eastern part of Kamjong district. The 11th Assam Rifles is deployed in the area for maintenance of law and order.
As of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Assam Rifles regarding the allegations made by the EKCA. The association has urged authorities to look into the matter and ensure that such actions against village protectors are not repeated.
