Fresh violence erupts in Manipur's Noney, Kuki Body alleges armed attack on Leikot village

The ongoing violence in Manipur's hill districts intensified, with fresh unrest reported from Noney district after the Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney (JTN) alleged that Leikot Kuki Village was attacked and set ablaze in a pre-dawn attack.

The latest incident comes a day after the reported burning of Phaimol Kuki Village in Kamjong district and an alleged retaliatory attack on Thana Tangkhul Village, indicating that the cycle of violence has spread from Ukhrul, Kamjong and Kangpokpi to Noney district.

According to the Kuki Inpi JTN, suspected cadres of the NSCN-IM launched a heavily armed attack on Leikot Kuki Village at around 5 a.m. on July 2. The organisation alleged that the attackers later set the village on fire, causing extensive damage.

Describing the incident as an "unprovoked act of aggression," the apex body claimed that village volunteers, equipped only with licensed single-barrel firearms and limited resources, attempted to defend the settlement but were unable to withstand the attackers' superior firepower.

The organisation further alleged that the assailants used automatic weapons and mortar shells during the attack, forcing the local defenders to retreat before the village was allegedly torched.

Condemning the incident, the Kuki Inpi JTN termed the alleged assault a serious threat to peace and security in the region, stating that attacks on civilian villages were unacceptable and warranted unequivocal condemnation.

The organisation also raised concerns over what it described as inadequate security arrangements in vulnerable areas of Noney district, alleging repeated security lapses had enabled such incidents to recur. It maintained that ensuring the safety and protection of civilians was the government's primary responsibility.

Calling for immediate intervention, the Kuki Inpi JTN urged the Central Government, the Manipur Government and security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, identify those responsible, ensure their swift prosecution, and strengthen security deployment in vulnerable areas to prevent further violence.

The organisation also cautioned that failure to address the concerns of the affected communities and bring those responsible to justice could further aggravate the prevailing situation and adversely affect peace and stability in the region.

Reaffirming its support for the affected residents, the Kuki Inpi JTN said it stood in solidarity with the people of Leikot Kuki Village and would continue to work towards safeguarding the rights, security and dignity of the Kuki community.