Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing has accused the Assam Rifles of failing to respond effectively to an attack on Ningchou village near the Myanmar border on October 10, in which two civilians — including the village secretary — were killed.
A Visit to the Frontier Village
Keishing visited the frontier village to assess security vulnerabilities and the routes militants may have used to enter the area. Ningchou lies around 10 km from the international border. The MLA alleged that Myanmar-based militants had repeatedly targeted border villages, citing previous arson attacks in Namlee, Wanglee and Z Choro. He claimed that Assam Rifles personnel failed to take timely action during the October 10 attack, alleging that they fired shots into the air before withdrawing — a claim the force has not yet publicly addressed.
Not a Communal Clash, He Argues
Rejecting any portrayal of the violence as a communal clash, Keishing said the attacks appeared to be part of a deliberate attempt to depopulate border areas. He raised the possibility that the violence was intended to remove local opposition to border fencing or involved the use of external proxies to portray the frontier as unstable. The remarks land in a region already on edge — the Centre recently renewed AFSPA across parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, while border fencing continues at Moreh.
A Call for Better-Armed Local Forces
Keishing called for the newly deployed International Reserve Battalion (IRB) to be equipped with modern weapons to counter foreign militants. He said he would approach the Chief Minister and the Home Minister to seek an immediate upgrade of the battalion’s weaponry. Police investigations into the October 10 attack are ongoing, and the Chief Minister has assured adequate compensation to the victims’ families. The MLA’s allegations are unverified, and a response from the Assam Rifles or the state government is still awaited.
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