Two killed in pre-dawn strike at border village

OSR/Mungchan Zimik
IMP/UKL, Jun 11 :  Two people were killed while two others sustained injuries in an attack at Kultuh village in Kamjong district today around 4 am.
At least 15 houses were also set ablaze in the predawn attack.
The deceased have been identified as Letminlun Haokip (35), Head Deacon of the village Church and Lunminthang Haokip (23), youth chairman of the Church, both residents of Kultuh Kuki village.
The injured viz Jangkhomang (28) s/o Yamkholun and Kamminlal (27), s/o Late Tilpao are also residents of  Kultuh village.
Kultuh village which falls under Chassad police station in Kamjong district is strategically located between border pillars 112 and 113, surrounded by four Kuki villages -Lakhan Kuki to the west, Aishi Kuki to the south, Movailuk to the east, and Phaimol Kuki to the northwest. Molnoi Kuki village lies across the border in Myanmar, close to Kultuh.
While the Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association (EKCA) alleged the involvement of NSCN (Eastern Flank) and Shanni National Army (SNA) cadres, the Naga Village Guard (NVG) Eastern Command held the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) responsible for the attack.
Despite the conflicting claims, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
While reports are unconfirmed, the violence is believed to be linked to clashes between rival militant groups operating in the border region over territorial control.
The Naga Village Guard (NVG) Eastern Command, in a statement, blamed the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) for the attack.
According to NVG’s media cell, KNA-B cadres attacked Kultuh village, 'located in Tangkhul Naga ancestral land', killing two Kuki villagers and injuring two.
More than 15 houses were reportedly reduced to ashes.
NVG alleged that the attack was part of ongoing tensions between rival Kuki groups, specifically the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) and KNA-B, over area domination along the international border.
The NVG also alleged that the assault may have been in retaliation for the non-payment of narco-trade taxes to KNA-B over an extended period.
Upon learning of the attack, NVG units, which have been patrolling the border since earlier external aggressions at Choro, Wanglee, and Namlee, rushed to defend the village at around 3.30 am, it added.
NVG said that one of its members was injured during a 20-minute gun battle with the intruders.
The Eastern Command of NVG condemned the attack as an external aggression on Tangkhul Naga ancestral land.
Today’s attack is the second major assault in Kamjong following the coordinated intrusion at Choro, Wanglee, and Namlee on May 7 by KNA-B, backed by the People’s Defence Force (PDF), both Myanmar-based militant groups.
NVG Eastern Command extended condolences to the families of the two Kuki villagers killed at Kultuh and reaffirmed its commitment to defend their land, identity, and people against any external threats.
NVG also warned that any attempt to disturb peace and security in the region would be met with a firm response.
It may be mentioned that the situation in Manipur's hill districts has remained tense since February and deteriorated further after the bodies of six Naga hostages abducted from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13 were recovered a day after the  14 Kuki hostages were released. According to various reports, the bodies of the six Naga victims were found mutilated.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Kuki Chiefs’ Association (EKCA) condemned the attack as a grave violation of human rights and an assault on the peace, dignity, and security of innocent villagers.
EKCA said that the deliberate targeting of civilians and the destruction of a Church are unacceptable acts that deserve the strongest condemnation from all 'peace-loving people'.
While EKCA extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, it also called upon the authorities and security agencies to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident, identify those responsible, and take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable villages in the region.