GUWAHATI: Unknown miscreants on Wednesday morning burned down several houses in two Kuki villages of Manipur’s Naga-majority Kamjong district, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS.
The attack was carried out at Gampal and Haiyang villages, located near the Myanmar border. Most villagers were away in their fields at the time of the attack.
In an order, District Magistrate Rangnamei Rang Peter said the prohibitory orders were imposed as such disturbances could lead to serious breaches of peace, endanger public tranquillity, and pose risks to human lives and property.
The order prohibited the movement of any person outside their residences and any other act or activity that could disturb the law and order in the area.
Several Kuki-Zo organisations, including Kuki Inpi Manipur and Kuki Students’ Organisation, condemned the incident and demanded immediate rebuilding of the two villages, including proper rehabilitation of the affected families and fair compensation for losses they suffered.
Further, they demanded the deployment of an adequate number of personnel of “neutral security forces” to ensure the safety of the villagers and prevent further violence. Another demand was the provision of essential supplies, including food, medical aid, and shelter to all those displaced or affected.
“These heinous attacks have terrorised innocent Kuki civilians and once again imperilled the already fragile peace and stability in the region,” the organisations said in a joint statement.
“We urge the government to act with immediacy, impartiality, and integrity. The people of Gampal, Haiyang and the wider Kuki-Zo community deserve not only protection, but also justice and peace. The Kuki-Zo community views this act of terror seriously as this would create misunderstanding between communities in the otherwise peaceful area,” the statement further stated.