A lethal clash erupted on the morning of April 13, 2026, along the Indo-Myanmar border, resulting in the deaths of four armed cadres near the Wangli-Namli area between Ashang Khullen KAKA in Kamjong District and Phaiyang village in Myanmar at the Indo-Myanmar Border.
The gunfight, which took place between 9 and 10 AM, reportedly involved the NSCN-IM launching an attack on a Kuki militant unit positioned between Ashang Khullen and Phaiyang village.
Reports identified the deceased as members of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), subsequent accounts suggest they were cadres of the Kuki Defence Forces (KDF).
Following the shootout, NSCN-IM operatives reportedly recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from the site. The incident has placed border villages—including Namlee, Wanglee, and Choro—on high alert as local authorities monitor for further volatility along the international boundary.
Ashang Khullen is a Tangkhul Naga village. The NSCN-IM’s presence and "area domination" are much more established here, making it the more logical site for them to intercept Kuki-affiliated groups (KNA-B/KDF) moving through the sector.
Several villages in Kamjong District, including Namlee, Wanglee, Ashang Khullen, Choro, and others, share a border with Myanmar.
Reports also suggest that the individuals killed were 'out collecting firewood'. But these ought to be confirmed. It is also assessed that a combined team of NSCN-IM and Meilhei Thingnoi (local) were present in the area.
This forested region remains a confronted frontline zone with the presence of pro and anti junta elements, an informed source said in Delhi.
Politicians do make ambitious promises about restoring the rule of law in Manipur and importantly repair relations between Kukis and Meiteis.
In the meantime, problems have surfaced between Nagas and Kukis and amongst Nagas; there have a serious problem within the NSCN-IM between Hebron and the Eastern Flank camps.
For Khemchand, the promises will also be extraordinarily difficult to fulfil.
The Chief Minister has constitutional power but there is less of political authority.
The matter of fact is Khemchand has not inherited a normal state.
He faces severe governance issues, economic pressures, immense public expectations and 'opposition from the BJP insiders'.
Apparently, it is given to understand that some BJP leaders in Manipur continue to retain extensive informal power.
The 'Ukhrul Times' wrote an angry editorial.
"There is no end to the unrest in Manipur, a multi-ethnic state with an estimated population of 3.79 million.
While the recent conflicts in the hill districts of Ukhrul and Kamjong had yet to die down, fresh violence erupted in the valley area at Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district.
"As violence continues to smother the state, is the government looking to stem the root cause of the continuing violence in the state? Is the state looking for possibilities?"
These questions are not without basis and are timely.
On the other hand, all the good reputation earned by the BJP and the state of Manipur as a whole since 2017 (when N Biren Singh) became chief minister) is lost.
The pre-2023 normal situation and a number of industrial and development friendly moves are now a thing of the past in Manipur.
A year long President's Rule has not been able to do much even as Home Minister Amit Shah has deputed a former 'trusted babu' in the Home Ministry as the Governor.
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| When power shifted to Khemchand 'officially' but lacked politically |
Meanwhile, the new terminal building at Imphal International Airport currently under construction being undertaken by the Yashnand Engineers and Contractors Pvt. Ltd. is set to significantly enhance airport operations and passenger experience.
Once completed, it will enable round-the-clock operations, extending airport functioning hours from the current 12–14 hours to 24 hours a day.
The upgraded facility will also boost passenger handling capacity substantially, increasing it from 1.39 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 5 MPPA. In addition, parking infrastructure will see a major expansion, with capacity growing from just 100 cars at present to 1,089 cars in the new integrated terminal complex.
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