Violence escalated sharply in Kamjong district of Manipur, near the India-Myanmar border, over the weekend, with attacks reported on both Kuki and Naga settlements. According to PTI and IANS reports, suspected militants attacked Chassad village on Saturday afternoon, killing a Kuki civilian, Seikhohao Haokip, and injuring four others, including village leaders.

Late on Saturday night, at least 15 houses belonging to Kuki residents in Chassad were set on fire, forcing a large number of civilians to flee and take shelter in forest areas and a nearby Army camp, officials said.

In a separate incident at Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians — identified in reports as T. Chithung, S. Malung and M. Shithung — sustained bullet injuries and were admitted to Kamjong Hospital, where their condition was reported to be stable.

Early on Sunday, the Tangkhul Naga villages of Skipe and Pilong, near the Myanmar border, also came under attack and several abandoned houses were set ablaze, the Nagaland Post reported; no casualties were reported in that arson, as most residents had already fled after earlier threats.

In another incident on Sunday, a couple travelling in a car on National Highway 202 (Imphal-Ukhrul road) near Mahadev sustained minor injuries when their vehicle came under fire; they were given first aid and discharged, reports said.

Latest reports on Monday morning (Times Now, via Inshorts and NewsPoint) put the total number of houses torched in Kamjong district within 24 hours at 28, targeting both Naga and Kuki settlements. Manipur Police said a joint column of the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Kamjong Police has been deployed in the affected area to bring the situation under control.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence, expressed grief over the death of the Kuki civilian and concern for the injured and displaced families, called the burning of houses an intolerable crime, and said she had directed the district administration, police and security forces to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and bring those responsible to justice.

Amid the escalation, the Kamjong district police chief was transferred on Sunday and a new SP posted; women protesters came out on the streets at Kamjong headquarters on Sunday evening to protest the transfer, the Nagaland Post reported.

Each side's claims about who carried out the attacks are allegations at this stage: Kuki villagers alleged that Naga militants ambushed civilians in Chassad, while reports from Naga villages suspect Kuki militants for the Skipe-Pilong attack. No group has been officially held responsible by authorities so far.

Sources: PTI, IANS, Nagaland Post, Times Now reports.