UKHRUL: Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing has criticised the Assam Rifles, alleging that the force has failed to address cross-border terrorism, the influx of illegal immigrants and counter-insurgency operations in his area in Manipur hill district Kamjong.
Speaking to media, MLA Keishing accused the Assam Rifles of being more concerned about promotions, and shabash than the prevailing law and order crisis, and alleged that its personnel were involved in illegal timber and other businesses such as Supari (Areca nuts/Betel nuts) trade.
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“They are not interested in law and order. They say law and order is not their duty. And when the sitution arise, they don’t come out. For what they are here? Rather then move out if they are not interested in their duties. Influx is there, terrorist are attacking all the border, what are they doing now? What is their role. They are useless here. They come only here to earn promotion. They are not at all cooperative. Not cooperative with the public also. These Assam Rifles people they have failed their duty. They failed to the nation and duty. They cannot control this Chassad area also.”
MLA Keishing further alleged, “When Kamjong SP, DSP and IRBs have been requesting the AR to control the situation, they are not winning, rather they are helping the insurgents to cross the border. Everybody is complaining about their role in these. Most of the border areas have been attacked by the terrorist from across the border. What are they doing? Are they doing their duties? Not at all. These security are not for the border area.
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Standing at the spot where two Tangkhul Nagas, identified as Leishisan Hungyo and his nephew, Ngachanso Ningshen, both from Ningchou village in Kamjong district, were killed in a cross-border attack on October 10, allegedly by suspected Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) cadres, MLA Keishing said, the spot is 10 km inside the Indian territory.
“The border is no longer safe given the frequent incidents of cross-border attacks. The attack at Namlee Wanglee and Choro and Pilong village. The KNA-B attack only proves that the Assam Rifles have failed their duty,” the MLA maintained.
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He further said, “The main reason for border fencing it seems to me is to build more pressure with such attacks from across the border. There is an ulterior motive behind the constant attacks. It seems to me that they are instigating these border attacks. Hence I request the government to replace the Assam Rifles from this area. It was a peaceful area. They will come and go after promotion. There is no communal picutre to these incidents. This is totally an underground and extremist elements to disturb, loss of life and property, build fear psychosis to avoid settlement in the border. This is where they failed to do their duties.”
The predominantly Tangkhul Naga district of Kamjong in Manipur has witnessed multiple reported cross-border attacks in 2026, deepening the security crisis along the Indo-Myanmar border and placing civilian lives increasingly at risk. From the killing of four Naga civilians at Pilong village to the deaths of two Tangkhul family members at Ningchou, and the May arson at Choro, Wanglee and Namlee market, the incidents have raised serious concerns over the safety of remote border settlements and the effectiveness of existing security arrangements.
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