Manipur Unrest: 15 Kuki Homes Set Ablaze, 250 Civilians Reach Safety
Ethnic violence in Manipur flared up on Saturday (Image Nirendra Dev)
By NIRENDRA DEV
“His heroics and efforts of others resulted in safety of around 250 civilians,” an eyewitness said, referring to an Assam Rifles jawan reportedly injured while trying to protect civilians.
Kamjong, October 18, 2026 — Suspected militants torched at least 15 houses belonging to the Kuki community in Manipur’s Kamjong district late on Saturday, forcing residents to flee to nearby forests and an Army camp, officials said on Sunday.
The violence also left three Tangkhul Naga civilians with bullet injuries in a separate incident at Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night. Several houses belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community were reportedly affected amid renewed violence in Chassad village and surrounding areas.
A Kuki civilian was killed and four others injured in an earlier shooting in Chassad village on Saturday, officials said.
Sources claimed that an Assam Rifles jawan was injured while attempting to save civilian lives. An eyewitness said the jawan’s efforts, along with those of others, helped ensure the safety of around 250 civilians.
Suspected munition fragments were found by local residents on Sunday morning. Kamjong Police were in the process of retrieving the suspected munitions at the time of filing this report.
In a statement, police said a joint column of the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force and Kamjong Police had been deployed in the affected area to bring the situation under control.
In a separate administrative development, Jay Barange, IPS, currently posted as Additional SP, Imphal West, has been transferred and appointed Superintendent of Police, Kamjong.
Tholu Rocky, MPS, who was holding charge as SP, Kamjong, has been transferred and posted as in-charge of AD/MPTC.
“The transfer order has been issued in the public interest,” sources said.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence in Chassad, expressing grief over the death of the Kuki civilian and concern for the injured village leaders and displaced families.
Kipgen said she had instructed the district administration, state police and security forces to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, protect civilian lives and property, and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
The incidents underscore renewed violence in Kamjong district, where civilians from the Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities have been affected by attacks and related security concerns.
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