Mob torches NSCN-IM office in Manipur’s Ukhrul after four cadres killed in Kamjong ambush. Rising tensions, insurgent rivalry, and security concerns grip the region as authorities deploy forces and call for calm amid escalating unrest.
Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s hill districts on Sunday after an enraged mob set ablaze an office of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) in Ukhrul district, following the killing of four cadres a day earlier in neighbouring Kamjong district. The incident has intensified tensions across the region, which has already been grappling with intermittent unrest over the past few months.
According to officials, the mob targeted the NSCN-IM’s Wung regional office in Ukhrul after news spread that four members of the Naga outfit had been shot dead, allegedly by a rival armed group, at Hongbei village in Kamjong on Saturday. The sudden escalation has heightened fears of further violence in both districts, which share sensitive borders with Nagaland and Myanmar.
A senior police official in Imphal said that an agitated crowd gathered outside the NSCN-IM office, accusing members of the outfit of involvement in the killings. “The mob demanded immediate accountability and action against those responsible. During the confrontation, the office was set on fire,” the official stated. No casualties have been reported in the arson incident so far.
Sources within the NSCN-IM have denied issuing any directive to attack or engage with rival groups. The organisation has launched an internal inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the killings and the subsequent backlash. In an official statement, the group urged the public to remain calm and not be influenced by unverified social media reports.
The killings occurred when unidentified attackers intercepted a vehicle carrying six NSCN-IM cadres near Hongbei village. The assailants opened fire, killing four on the spot, while two others managed to escape. Security forces reached the site on Sunday and recovered the bodies, initiating further investigation into the ambush.
The incident has triggered widespread concern among local communities and civil society groups. A delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from Ukhrul, accompanied by Manipur’s Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, met Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at the state Secretariat to discuss the deteriorating situation.
In a statement shared on social media, the Chief Minister acknowledged the growing unrest and emphasized the need for restoring peace. He stated that strengthening infrastructure and ensuring communal harmony remain key priorities for sustainable development in Ukhrul and surrounding regions. “Peace forms the bedrock of progress, and collective efforts are required to restore stability,” he added.
Ukhrul and Kamjong districts have witnessed a series of tense incidents since February this year. On March 11, at least 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community were detained by armed individuals and villagers in Ukhrul district while travelling along the Ukhrul–Imphal route. The situation was resolved the following day after negotiations involving community leaders and law enforcement agencies.
Security analysts warn that the latest violence could further destabilize the already fragile situation in Manipur’s hill districts. The region’s proximity to international borders and the presence of multiple armed groups make it particularly sensitive to flare-ups triggered by factional rivalries.
Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM reiterated that no orders had been issued from its General Headquarters in Nagaland to initiate any offensive action. The organisation stated that those responsible for the killings would be identified and punished under its internal disciplinary framework.
Authorities have appealed for restraint and urged communities to avoid taking matters into their own hands. Additional security forces have been deployed in both Ukhrul and Kamjong districts to prevent further escalation.
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As investigations continue, the incident underscores the persistent volatility in Manipur’s border regions, where ethnic tensions, armed group rivalries, and cross-border dynamics continue to challenge peace and governance.
