Kamjong: Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing has described the killing of four civilians in Pilong village near the Manipur-Myanmar border as a “territorial invasion” rather than a communal conflict, while questioning security arrangements along the border.
Keishing visited Pilong on Saturday, two days after four civilians were killed in an attack. The village, located around 35 km from Kamjong district headquarters, lies near Border Pillars 91 to 93 and is among the last settlements along the district’s border.
Speaking at the site, Keishing condemned the killings and questioned the Assam Rifles’ role in protecting border residents. He called for the deployment of state security forces in the area, saying border villages had been abandoned because of security concerns.
“None of the border villagers in both Pilong and Skipe are now living here. The villages have been left abandoned due to lack of security,” Keishing said.
The MLA said he had written to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh seeking the deployment of three companies of the Indian Reserve Police (IRB) or Manipur Rifles to protect residents and strengthen border security.
Police sources said 15 to 20 spent bullet casings were recovered from the site on September 24, when the four bodies were found. Casings from AK-47 and M16 rifles were reportedly found at the scene, along with blood stains on the premises of victim Vareishim Jajo.
Keishing and his team also found that a Manipur Police outpost at nearby Skipe, established in 2020, had been withdrawn. The exact date of its withdrawal could not be ascertained. The outpost is less than 3 km from Pilong.
Local sources said only two or three personnel had been stationed there when it was operational.
Keishing said Skipe, despite being a government-recognised village, is now deserted. He said repeated threats and gunfire had forced border residents to leave.
The MLA questioned the Centre and state governments over the abandonment of border villages and called for immediate security measures to protect civilians and prevent further displacement.
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