Kanggui: Kailenjang, a border Kuki village located near Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, just a few kilometres away from Senapati district headquarters, was allegedly attacked and burnt to ashes on Sunday, August 10, by suspected Naga militants.
Visuals and video footage circulating from the area show thick columns of black smoke rising above the settlement, engulfing the entire hillside. The visuals clearly indicate large-scale arson, with several thatched and semi-pucca houses seen burning. However, the full extent of damage to houses, property, granaries, livestock and possible displacement of families is yet to be officially assessed.
According to reports received from local sources and village volunteers, the attack was allegedly carried out by heavily armed cadres of the NSCN-IM and its allied group Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF). The attackers reportedly entered the village in the early hours and set fire to houses after forcing residents to flee.
The timing of the alleged attack is highly significant. According to sources, the incident took place at a time when a crucial high-level meeting for peace in the region was underway at the heart of Senapati district headquarters.
The peace meeting was led by the Government of Manipur under Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam with leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC) and other Naga civil bodies. The meeting was aimed at restoring peace and mutual understanding in the hill districts.
Sources close to the development described the burning of Kailenjang as a deliberate and failed attempt to derail the peace process and mutual understanding being facilitated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state.
Local villagers alleged that Kailenjang, being a small and isolated border settlement, has been vulnerable to repeated threats and intimidation in recent months. The village serves as a buffer between Kangpokpi and Senapati districts and has a small population dependent on jhum cultivation and daily wage labour.
Kuki civil bodies and church leaders have alleged that since March this year, Naga militant groups, particularly NSCN-IM and ZUF, have intensified systematic attacks on Kuki villages and civilians across the hill districts of Manipur.
According to their claims, more than 14 Kuki civilians have been killed in targeted attacks in the last five months, including three pastors, women, including pregnant women, and elderly villagers. The bodies further allege that over 10 Kuki villages have been burnt, looted or forcibly vacated in Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong and Senapati districts.
They further claimed that many families from the affected villages have been displaced and are now taking shelter in relief camps and with relatives in Kangpokpi district headquarters, without adequate humanitarian assistance from the government.
In addition to the alleged attacks, Kuki organisations have claimed that a blockade imposed by Naga groups on routes leading to Kuki areas has continued for more than two months. Due to the blockade, they allege, essential commodities, medical supplies and movement of civilians have been severely affected.
The organisations have further alleged that the Government of India and the State Government have failed to control the law and order situation in Naga-dominated areas of Manipur, allowing armed groups to operate with impunity.
Till the filing of this report, security forces and the district administrations of Kangpokpi and Senapati have not issued any official statement confirming the Kailenjang incident, the identity of the perpetrators or the number of casualties.
