The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Thursday expressed serious concern over the reported armed attacks on Tangkhul Naga villages and civilian areas along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Kamjong district, alleging possible involvement of foreign-based armed groups.

In a press release issued on May 7, COCOMI referred to attacks reported in Namlee, Wanglee and adjoining areas during the early hours of Thursday. The organisation said the matter had taken a “serious dimension” following allegations made by a sitting MLA from the affected region that cadres of the Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma [KNA(B)] and allied People’s Defence Forces (PDF) were involved in the attacks.

COCOMI stated that if the allegations are verified, the incident should not be viewed merely as a communal or ethnic conflict, but as a case of “cross-border armed aggression” involving foreign-based armed groups targeting Indian citizens within Indian territory.

The organisation asserted that the development directly concerns India’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, border security and internal security framework. It urged the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and central security agencies deployed in Manipur since May 2023 to clarify the situation urgently.

Raising a series of questions, COCOMI asked how armed groups from across the Myanmar border could allegedly launch coordinated attacks inside Indian territory despite the deployment of central forces and surveillance mechanisms. It also questioned why repeated warnings by border communities regarding infiltration, armed movement and narco-terror activities had allegedly not been adequately addressed.

The committee further warned that continued failure to contain such incidents could destabilise vulnerable border communities and weaken public confidence in the State’s ability to safeguard territorial integrity.

COCOMI demanded immediate strengthening of security measures along vulnerable Indo-Myanmar border sectors, a transparent high-level inquiry into the recent attacks, investigation into the alleged involvement of cross-border militant groups, examination of possible intelligence lapses, and public clarification from the Government of India regarding the nature of the incident and the prevailing border security situation.

The organisation urged the Centre to act with “urgency, seriousness and transparency” to prevent further escalation and protect peace and stability in the region.