Naga Group Blames Kuki Refugees for Leimakhong Arson

Imphal: The Foothills Naga Coordination Committee rejected claims that Nagas set fire to homes in Chingmang Leimakhong. They hit back at the Committee on Tribal Unity for pinning the July 11 arson on them. FNCC leaders called the accusations a deliberate falsehood. They insisted the group is just spreading propaganda to mask the truth.

Evidence points elsewhere. The FNCC claims video footage and witness reports show Kuki refugees sparked the fires that destroyed Meitei and Naga houses. They argue these claims are just another attempt to manipulate public opinion. The committee stated that the accusations from COTU were "malicious, misleading and fabricated" in a formal statement released July 12.

Past incidents remain a point of contention. The FNCC pointed to a previous case involving six murdered Naga hostages where a Kuki leader retracted a confession about an emotional outburst. They say these flip-flops prove that Kuki groups lack credibility. The Naga body is now pushing for an independent, transparent investigation to settle the score. They urged the Manipur government to ignore intimidation and follow the law to reach a fair verdict.