Tension erupted at Chassad – Kamjong at around 9:50pm on Friday. Sources informed that around 4 houses belonging to the Nagas and 10 houses belonging to the Kukis were set on fire.
Police informed that on receiving information about the movement of armed persons near the Chassad cemetery, the Police, IRB and BSF personnel stationed at Chassad had gone to inspect the cemetery at around 9:30pm. On nearing the cemetery fire, the security forces were fired upon by the armed persons hiding at the cemetery.
The security forces retaliated by blank firing and on reaching the spot from where the shots were fired they found that the armed persons had escaped in the dark. They found a man lying on the ground who turned out to be the Pastor of Chassad Kuki Village.
The security forces discovered bunkers and trenches dug around the cemetery.
Police also informed that the Chassad Kuki villagers marched towards the Primary School where the IRB personnel are stationed. The security forces warned the mob not to come towards the school. On their refusal, the security forces resorted to blank fires to disperse the mob and in the process a woman was injured.
Amid the exchange of fire between the Kuki groups and the Manipur IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion), Kukis allegedly and deliberately set fire to Naga houses further escalating tensions between the Kukis and Nagas. It is learnt that the Kuki mob has burnt down 4 houses belonging to Nagas on Friday night. In retaliation, the Nagas on Saturday morning set about 10 houses belonging to the Kukis on fire.
Police informed that the situation is still volatile and sensitive.
