Imphal: Tensions have escalated in Nungba Sub-Division of Noney district after Nungthut and Khongmol villages were set on fire on July 8, with Naga and Kuki-Zo civil society organisations trading allegations over the incident and calling for government intervention.
The Nungba Area Village Authority Association (NAVAA), representing Naga villages in the area, condemned what it described as firing from Nungthut village towards neighbouring Rongmei Naga villages on July 8. In a statement, the association termed the alleged firing “reckless and irresponsible” and said the Naga community would not tolerate acts of terror or intimidation.
NAVAA urged all communities to refrain from escalating tensions, respect customary territorial boundaries and resolve disputes through lawful dialogue. It reiterated its commitment to peace and the protection of civilian rights.
Responding to the allegations, the Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo organisation, alleged that the torching of Nungthut and Khongmol villages was carried out by heavily armed cadres of the NSCN-IM, assisted by the ZUF (Kamson faction).
According to CoTU, the attacks took place at around 4:30 p.m. on July 8, when Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and the United Naga Council (UNC) were holding talks in Senapati on resolving the ongoing economic blockade.
CoTU claimed that about 30 households in Nungthut and 15 households in Khongmol were affected by the arson. It also linked the incident to the alleged torching of Leikot village on July 2.
The organisation alleged that repeated appeals for adequate security deployment in vulnerable areas had not been acted upon, leaving Kuki-Zo villages exposed to attacks.
Both organisations called for immediate intervention by the state and Central governments to prevent further violence and restore peace in the area.
CoTU also urged the Centre to deploy additional security forces in vulnerable hill areas and take action against the NSCN-IM and the ZUF (Kamson faction), alleging that their activities posed a continuing threat to Kuki-Zo villages.