Suspected militants set fire to at least 15 houses belonging to the Kuki community in Chassad village of Manipur's Kamjong district late on Saturday night, forcing scores of residents to flee their homes and take shelter in nearby forest areas and an Army camp. The arson came hours after a deadly shooting in the same village that left a Kuki civilian dead and four others wounded, officials said on Sunday, October 18.
The twin attacks mark another sharp escalation in the conflict between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in Manipur's hill districts, which has claimed more than 50 lives since February this year, according to The Times of India. A separate gun attack was also reported at the Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, in which three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained bullet injuries.
What happened in Chassad on October 17
According to officials cited by The Telegraph and Daily Excelsior, suspected militants attacked Chassad village late on Saturday night and systematically set the houses ablaze. Residents fled in panic, with a large number taking shelter in the forests around the village and at a nearby Army camp.
Around 2:30 pm that day, suspected militants had already opened fire on the Kuki village, triggering an exchange of fire between the assailants and a local armed group that continued into the evening, a senior police officer told PTI. In the shooting, a Kuki civilian identified as Seikhohou was killed, while four others — including village head Thangjahou Haokip (48), Khailun Haokip, Hegin Haokip and Seipao Haokip — were injured. Seikhohou later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Police said a joint column of the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force and Kamjong Police had been deployed in the affected area to bring the situation under control.
Separate gun attack at Kamjong district headquarters
In a separate incident at the Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained bullet injuries when rival armed groups belonging to another community attacked the village, The Telegraph reported.
The two incidents on the same night underscore how quickly the violence is spreading across the district. Security forces are expected to continue operations, assess the damage and assist displaced families, while investigators work to establish who carried out the attacks.
Government response: Deputy CM condemns the violence
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence in Chassad, expressing grief over the death of the Kuki civilian and concern for the injured village leaders and displaced families. She called the burning of houses an "intolerable crime".
Kipgen said she had instructed the district administration, state police and security forces to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, protect civilian lives and property, and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
Why it matters: the Naga-Kuki conflict is deepening
The Chassad violence is not an isolated flare-up. The escalating clashes between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities have claimed more than 50 lives since February, with homes and shops torched and civilians caught in attacks across Kamjong, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney districts, The Times of India reported.
Just last week, nine people — including six Nagas, two Kukis and a Gorkha farmer — were killed in attacks across three districts within 12 hours. That wave also hit Chassad village and sparked gunfights in Kangpokpi and Ukhrul, prompting prohibitory orders in Kamjong and a shutdown call on National Highway 202. Days earlier, on Thursday, a Kuki-Zo woman, Hatneikim Haokip, was killed and her husband injured in an alleged ambush by suspected Naga militants on the road between Phaikoh and Aishu in Kamjong district; two others travelling with them were reported missing.
The repeated targeting of Chassad — hit again barely a week after the last attack — shows the village has become a flashpoint, raising hard questions about civilian protection in vulnerable hill villages despite the deployment of central forces.
What happens next
A joint column of the Assam Rifles, BSF and Kamjong Police is now stationed in the affected area, and authorities are expected to assess the damage, help displaced families and continue security operations. The Committee on Tribal Unity has condemned the attack and urged the state government to deploy central forces in the area.
The state government now faces pressure to prevent retaliatory strikes, which have followed a familiar pattern in recent weeks. With the Deputy Chief Minister demanding round-the-clock vigilance and justice for those responsible, the question is whether security forces can hold the line in Kamjong's villages — and whether the cycle of shootings and arson can be broken before more lives are lost.
Key Takeaways
- At least 15 Kuki homes were torched in Chassad village, Kamjong district, Manipur, late on Saturday night (October 17, 2026), hours after a Kuki civilian was shot dead and four others wounded in the same village.
- Displaced residents took shelter in nearby forests and an Army camp; a joint column of Assam Rifles, BSF and Kamjong Police has been deployed.
- A separate gun attack at the Kamjong district headquarters the same night left three Tangkhul Naga civilians with bullet injuries.
- Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence, called the arson an "intolerable crime", and ordered round-the-clock vigilance.
- The Kuki-Zo/Naga clashes have claimed more than 50 lives since February; Chassad was also attacked just last week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chassad village?
Chassad is a Kuki village in Kamjong district in the hill region of Manipur, close to the Indo-Myanmar border. It has become a recurring flashpoint in the clashes between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in the state's hill districts.
What happened in Chassad on October 17, 2026?
Around 2:30 pm, suspected militants opened fire on the village, sparking a gunfight with a local armed group. One Kuki civilian was killed and four were wounded. Late that night, the attackers returned and torched at least 15 Kuki homes, forcing scores of residents to flee to forests and an Army camp.
How many people were killed or injured?
In Chassad on Saturday, one Kuki civilian (identified by PTI as Seikhohou) was killed and four others — including village head Thangjahou Haokip — were injured. In a separate gun attack at the Kamjong district headquarters that night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained bullet injuries.
What is behind the Naga-Kuki clashes in Manipur?
Armed groups from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities have been locked in escalating clashes across Manipur's hill districts — Kamjong, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney. The Times of India reports the clashes have claimed more than 50 lives since February, with homes and shops torched and civilians repeatedly caught in attacks.
What has the Manipur government said?
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence, expressed grief over the civilian death and concern for the injured and displaced, and called the burning of houses an "intolerable crime". She ordered round-the-clock vigilance to protect lives and property and bring those responsible to justice.
Have security forces been deployed to Kamjong?
Yes. Police said a joint column of the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force and Kamjong Police has been deployed in the affected area. The Committee on Tribal Unity has also urged the state government to deploy central forces in the area.
Is this the first attack on Chassad village?
No. Chassad was also targeted during last week's violence, when nine people were killed across three districts in 12 hours, houses and shops were set on fire, and prohibitory orders were imposed in Kamjong along with a shutdown call on National Highway 202.
Sources
- The Telegraph — "Manipur unrest: 15 Kuki homes set ablaze, civilians seek refuge in forests, army camp" (October 18, 2026)
- Daily Excelsior — "15 Houses Burnt In Manipur's Kamjong, 3 Injured In Gun Attack" (October 18, 2026)
- The Times of India — "Man killed, four injured in suspected militant attack on Kuki village in Manipur" (October 17, 2026)
- The Economic Times — Breaking news live updates, October 18 (October 18, 2026)
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