Two Kuki villages in Manipur’s Kamjong torched; Naga hamlet offers hope
The burning of Gampal and Haijang in Manipur’s Kamjong exposes the fault lines between Nagas and Kukis; Naga village Kachouphung opens its arms in a rare act of communal solidarity
The burning down of two Kuki villages in a Naga-dominated area of Manipur on Wednesday (April 23) exposed yet another societal fault line in the trouble-torn state even as a Naga village set an example of communal harmony. Unidentified miscreants set on fire Gampal and Haijang villages in Kamjong district amidst prevalence of simmering tension between the Nagas and Kukis.
An exemplary role played by a neighbouring Naga village and prompt prohibitory orders imposed by the district administration prevented further flare-up in the area despite “social media rumours” about involvement of a Naga militant group in the attack.
Restrictions have been imposed by the district administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in the jurisdictions of the two villages to prevent further breach of peace. The situation in the area continued to be tense, but under control on Thursday, police said. Naga militants also denied their role in the incident.
No human casualty
“The wild speculation circulating on the social media, suspecting the hands of NSCN stands condemned outrightly,” the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) said in a statement, denying its involvement.
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“The recent act of arson committed upon the denizens of Gampal and Haijang villages under Kamjong district by some unknown miscreants is lamentable,” the militant outfit said in a press statement issued on Thursday.
“It is hereby clarified that the Naga army has no involvement in the unfortunate incident. All concerned are advised not to be carried away by such malicious disinformation. The conspiracy surrounding the incident shall be exposed sooner or later,” the statement added. The Naga army is the armed wing of the NSCN.
According to the district police, 16 houses were gutted in Gampal and 12 in Haijang. The two villages are located near the India-Myanmar border. Most residents were working on their fields when miscreants swooped down on their villages. They fled the villages to escape the attack. There was no human casualty, police said.
Many of the fleeing villagers got shelter and protection at Kachouphung, a Naga village located some 15 kilometres from the twin villages under attack. “Many distraught people, mostly women and children, came to our village seeking shelter and security. They have been put up at different houses in the village,” Kachouphung Village Authority informed the media.
Kuki-Zo groups condemn attack
“The humanitarian gesture strengthens fraternal ties and prevents spiralling of a conflict. Kachouphung village has set an example for the rest of the state,” said Imphal-based social activist Saifur Rahman Maibam.
Meanwhile, several Kuki-Zo civil-society organisations condemned the attack, saying the latest attack has “once again imperilled the already fragile peace and stability in the region.”
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“It is deeply alarming that such acts of terror persist under the watch of the Government of India, which has repeatedly failed to uphold its constitutional duty to maintain law and order, particularly during a crisis that demands urgent, sensitive, and just intervention,” the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO-GHQ), Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Manipur (KCA-M), Kuki Women Union (KWU-GHQ) and Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) said in a joint statement.
The organisations said the attack would “create misunderstanding between communities in the otherwise peaceful area.”
The friction between the Kukis and Nagas surfaced after armed militants, allegedly belonging to the Kuki community, swooped on a Naga-dominated Konsakhul village in Kangpokpi district on April 5 and assaulted several residents, including the village Chief, the village chairman, and the local pastor.
The attack was strongly condemned by the Naga communities. The Federal recently reported about the lack of administrative efforts to douse the tension between the two communities.
