Leingangching (Laho), Litan and Sharkaphung villages reportedly came under heavy firing from automatic and sophisticated weapons on the night of May 26, triggering panic among residents and escalating tensions in the area.
According to a statement issued by village representatives and community members, the firing began at around 10:22 pm and allegedly originated from the direction of Mongkot Chepu Kuki village. The statement described the attack as unprovoked and said the incident posed a serious threat to civilian life, peace and communal stability.
The statement alleged that women, children and elderly residents were forced to remain in fear as gunfire continued in and around the villages. The situation was stated to have severely affected the security of the local population.
Community representatives further alleged that security personnel fired live rounds toward Naga villagers who were defending their homes instead of neutralising the source of the attack. It was claimed that firing also took place within village perimeters, which the statement termed a grave violation of civilian safety and humanitarian norms.
Following the incident, the affected villages placed several demands before the authorities, including an immediate cessation of all hostilities in civilian areas and the constitution of an independent and time-bound judicial inquiry into the May 26 firing incident.
The villagers also demanded deployment of neutral peacekeeping forces in Leingangching, Litan and Sharkaphung villages, alleging that the existing security arrangement had failed to ensure civilian protection.
In addition, the statement sought strict legal action against any individuals, including security personnel, found responsible for unlawful firing on civilians or within inhabited areas.
The affected villagers appealed to the Government of Manipur, the Union Government and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene urgently and ensure justice, accountability and protection of innocent civilians.