KNA-B and PDF deny involvement in Manipur border attacks

Mizzima

The Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) have officially denied allegations of involvement in recent attacks on three villages in Manipur, India.

The denials follow a 7 May incursion into Namli, Wanli, and Choro villages in Manipur’s Kamjong district, located near the international border, which led to the destruction of over 15 homes and forced numerous residents to flee into nearby forests.

The incident was characterized as a “foreign incursion” by Leishiyo Keishing, a Manipur Member of Parliament, who argued that the burning of homes and reports of torture pointed toward an external invasion rather than localized ethnic conflict. Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), a prominent community organization, also reported that two individuals were abducted during the raids.

“Many houses were burnt, and many people were injured, indicating that the incident was not an ethnic conflict but an external invasion,” Leishiyo Keishing said.

More than 15 houses were destroyed in Choro village during the attack, while residents were allegedly tortured, two people were abducted and many others fled into nearby forests for safety, according to a statement by Tangkhul Naga Long.

“We are not involved in any activities inside Indian territory. They are trying to discredit the group without any credible evidence. We reject the false and dangerous allegations,” the Kuki National Army-Burma said in a statement issued on 7 May.

“The restoration of democracy in Myanmar remains our goal. We have consistently called for peace and dialogue among all stakeholders in the region and urged them not to allow the situation to escalate into ethnic conflict,” the group said.

Similarly, a leader of the People’s Defence Force based in Tamu Township along the India-Myanmar border told Mizzima that the group was not involved in the attack.

“The incident took place inside Indian territory, not in Myanmar. The PDFs were not involved in the matter, and the Kuki National Army-Burma is also active only in Myanmar, so it has nothing to do with us,” he said.

The People’s Defence Force leader based in Tamu Township added that the group responsible for the attack was the Village Volunteer Eastern Zone (VVEZ), and said they had no further comment.

The Village Volunteer Eastern Zone (VVEZ) said in a statement on 7 May that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the burning of Lanchah village in Kamjong district on 2 May by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland.

It further stated that the operation targeted National Socialist Council of Nagaland (East) and its allied groups operating in the area, and that the forces withdrew following a brief exchange of fire.

The statement said they had no intention of engaging in hostilities with any community, including the Tangkhul community, and added that despite long-standing peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in the region, they would continue to fulfil their responsibility to protect the security, dignity and legitimate rights of their ancestral lands.

A delegation led by Govindas Konthoujam, Manipur’s Home Minister, along with members of parliament, visited the area on May 9 and met with local residents and displaced people from Myanmar, according to Ukhrul Times.

The minister said that the concerns of local residents were heard during the meeting and assured that measures to strengthen security and improve development in the area would be enhanced.

When asked whether the incident could be described as “foreign aggression,” he said the state government would submit a report to the Union government if evidence supported such a claim, noting that official reports so far do not use that terminology.

The Indian government is reportedly considering fencing more than 1,600 kilometres of the border with Myanmar to strengthen security and curb drug trafficking, smuggling, and irregular migration.

During the Indian Navy chief’s visit in the first week of May, officials in Naypyidaw and India announced that he and Myanmar’s military leadership, including General Ye Win Oo, discussed maintaining a buffer free of armed groups along the border, as well as strengthening regional stability and security through strategic-level bilateral defence cooperation.