Kamjong: Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing on Friday visited villages affected by the alleged arson and firing incident that took place on May 7 along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur's Kamjong district and assessed the damage caused during the attack.
During his visit, the legislator raised concerns over the absence of security forces at the time of the incident and urged both the Centre and the State government to deploy adequate personnel in the area to prevent such attacks in the future.
Several houses and vehicles were burnt while multiple rounds of ammunition were allegedly fired after suspected Myanmar-based militants attacked Namlee, Wanglee, and Zingshophai Choro villages located along the Indo-Myanmar border.
During the visit, several empty shells and live rounds of M16, AK-47, and LMG ammunition were found at the attack sites, underlining the seriousness of the incident.
Locals claimed the firing continued for nearly 40 to 45 minutes.
According to villagers, almost all houses in Zingshophai Choro, including the residence of the village headman, were reduced to ashes except for the church.
In Wanglee market, the houses of the headman's son and daughter were completely burnt down, while several other homes were ransacked. In Namlee, one house was reduced to ashes and several shops were allegedly looted.
Villagers also informed the MLA that one Tangkhul woman and 21 Myanmarese residents staying in the border villages remain missing following the attack.
Interacting with villagers at Wanglee, Keishing assured residents that the matter had been taken up with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and said efforts were underway to ensure proper deployment of security personnel in the area.
He also informed that Home Minister K Govindas will visit the border villages on Saturday to take stock of the situation.
Speaking to media persons at Wanglee village near the Indo-Myanmar border, the MLA described the incident as an "external aggression" allegedly carried out by cadres of the KNA(B) and Myanmar-based People's Defence Force (PDF).
"People coming from a foreign country and attacking villages well within Indian territory is nothing less than foreign aggression," he said.
He further alleged that despite the presence of a nearby police outpost under Kasom Police Station and an Assam Rifles camp located around three kilometres away, no security personnel responded during the attack.
"There was no retaliation from our side. They came, burned down houses, looted valuables, fired openly and left," he alleged.
The MLA appealed to both the Central and State governments to strengthen security arrangements and improve infrastructure in border areas.
"My humble request to the Central Government is to provide adequate security, proper roads, and infrastructure. Even security personnel do not want to stay here because of poor road conditions and lack of basic facilities like electricity and water supply," he said.
Meanwhile, Chuingam Kathing, who was present in the village during the attack, alleged that the assault specifically targeted Tangkhul villages. According to him, some of the attackers were heard speaking Burmese and Kuki languages during the assault.
Villagers also claimed that the armed men looted vehicles, cash, and other valuables. Several residents, including women and children, have reportedly taken shelter in neighbouring villages due to fear and insecurity following the attack.
Achui, another local resident, recounted her experience during the incident and said the armed men opened fire from a short distance, catching villagers by surprise.
"The moment we heard the gunfire, we ran for our safety. Some villagers ran uphill, while a few of us hid near the riverside before later climbing up the hill to seek safety," she said.
"They came in large numbers and were heavily armed," she added.
Psephology and the Exit Poll ritual: Prediction or a game of darts?