Kuki organizations allege targeted attacks on Mongkot Chepu village by Tangkhul Naga volunteers, while Naga groups accuse Kuki militants of initiating the violence.
BY PC Bureau
March 26, 2026: Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s sensitive inter-district border region on Wednesday evebning, March 25, when a gunfight broke out between Naga (primarily Tangkhul) and Kuki volunteers in Chassad, Kamjong district. The exchange of fire, which began around 5 PM and continued intermittently until 8 PM, forced residents of the Kuki village—mostly women and children—to flee into nearby forests and safer locations. Reports indicated that bullets struck homes and even a church, adding to the fear and disruption in the area.
The clashes came hours after suspected Kuki militants set fire to a public shed near a paddy field in Sinakeithei village under Ukhrul district in the early afternoon, exacerbating tensions in the already volatile region. The Ukhrul-Kamjong foothills have been a flashpoint for ethnic tensions between Naga and Kuki communities, fueled by historical disputes, overlapping territorial claims, and the proximity of settlements.
This latest flare-up follows a series of incidents that began on Monday, March 23, when suspected Kuki militants reportedly opened fire from Chassad village towards Tangkhul Naga areas, including Grihang. Around 40 Tangkhul Naga families were evacuated following the attacks, which local organizations such as the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Working Committee and Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation condemned as unprovoked aggression against civilians.
🗓 25 March 2026, around 5:30 PM, Kuki villagers in Chassad, Kamjong district reportedly came under heavy automatic gunfire from Tangkhul militants.Defenceless civilians, mostly women and children, were forced to flee into nearby jungle areas to save their lives.@YKhemchandSingh pic.twitter.com/e4u2ZT29bs
— K KIPGEN (@Son_Of_Kipgen) March 26, 2026
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The violence continued on Tuesday, March 24, with heavy cross-firing reported near Sharkaphung and Mongkot Chepu villages in Ukhrul district. At least three people were injured during these exchanges, including two Tangkhul Naga civilians and one Kuki individual. Both communities accused the other of initiating the attacks and of employing automatic weapons, with some reports even suggesting the use of more advanced arms.
Kuki Claims of Targeted Attacks
Kuki groups, including the Kuki Inpi Ukhrul District, and Chassad Youth Club (CYC), and other civil society organizations, have issued statements accusing Tangkhul Naga armed volunteers—some allegedly linked to NSCN-IM elements—of initiating unprovoked firing and attacks on Kuki settlements in the Ukhrul-Kamjong foothills.
According to Kuki sources, Mongkot Chepu village, predominantly inhabited by Kuki families, came under indiscriminate fire from armed Tangkhul Naga volunteers. Reports indicate that two Kuki civilians were injured during the assault. The groups also alleged that security personnel stationed nearby, including in the Sinakeithei area, failed to intervene effectively and, in some accounts, appeared to have allowed the attacks to proceed.
On March 25, the Kuki Inpi further claimed that Tangkhul volunteers positioned in Litan opened fire toward Mongkot Chepu from fortified locations, despite the presence of central security forces. The organization described the attack as “highly disturbing,” highlighting the risks posed to civilians in areas where armed groups maintain strong positions.
These statements reflect the deep mistrust between the two communities and the challenges faced by authorities in preventing violence amid ongoing ethnic tensions.
Reports said heavily armed #KukiMilitants stationed at #Chassad fired towards #Tangkhul Naga civilian areas of #Kamjong today at around 5 PM.
Kukis were suspected to be #KNA(B) which is patronised by a #Paramilitary force known to everyone.@PMOIndia @HMOIndia @YKhemchandSingh pic.twitter.com/iWNjKOOuQt
— Kangleipak Information Bureau (@yaiphaba07) March 25, 2026
The Manipur Police and central security forces responded with coordinated operations beginning March 24, targeting illegally constructed bunkers in Litan and Mongkot Chepu villages used by armed volunteers from both sides. Six more bunkers were dismantled on Wednesday, rendering the majority of fortified positions in the area ineffective. Troops have been deployed strategically, with increased patrolling and area control exercises, which reportedly contributed to a reduction in firing after the initial operations.
Despite these measures, the humanitarian impact remains significant. Civilians from both Kuki and Naga villages have been displaced, and daily life continues to be disrupted. Residents reported seeking shelter in forests and temporary locations, while social media accounts highlighted damage to homes and local structures. Both communities continue to trade accusations: Naga groups allege unprovoked attacks from Kuki militants, while Kuki villagers claim Tangkhul Naga or NSCN-IM-linked elements targeted their villages, sometimes allegedly using drones or explosives.
As of Thursday morning, March 26, the gunfight in Chassad had subsided, but the region remained tense. No new casualties were officially confirmed, though displaced families continue to face uncertainty. Officials stress that dismantling bunkers is a critical step toward de-escalation, but long-term stability will require addressing historical grievances, facilitating dialogue, and ensuring the protection of civilians. Local leaders from both Naga and Kuki communities have called for sustained security measures, confidence-building initiatives, and fair resolution of territorial disputes to prevent future flare-ups.
