In a major flare up in violence in Manipur, militants allegedly belonging to Myanmar-based groups, launched a drone attack on border villages in Manipur’s Kamjong district during the early hours of May 7.Although no fatalities were reported, a Naga man remains missing following the violence, with locals alleging that he may have been abducted by the attackers. Another villager was reportedly injured in the incident.According to sources aware of details, many houses were destroyed in fire caused by these attacks, forcing several families to flee to safer areas.Notably, some of these villages have majority Naga population.The local Naga MLA Leishiyo Keishing described the incident as “external aggression” originating from across the India-Myanmar border. He alleged that cadres linked to the Kuki National Army (Burma) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) carried out the assault around 4 am.Official sources, quoting locals, said that some houses were burnt down in a couple of villages, while all the houses at Choro village were destroyed in the fire.Keishing also criticised the response of the security forces, pointing out that an Assam Rifles camp located barely a few kilometres away did not intervene despite being stationed in the border region. He said villagers had repeatedly sought deployment of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel for better protection.The MLA urged both the Centre and state government to take immediate steps to strengthen security along the porous India-Myanmar border, asserting that instability in Myanmar continues to spill over into the bordering areas of Manipur.Reacting to the development, Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh said: “The brazen attack on the border villages of Namlee, Wanglee and Choro in Kamjong district, Manipur was an act of cross-border terrorism carried out by external forces from across the Indo-Myanmar border.”“Our indigenous communities continue to face this grave threat from a continued external aggression. Unless this issue is effectively tackled with firm resolve and border security is strengthened, peace will continue to elude our state,” he added in his post on X.The former CM said, “Both Central and state forces must be deployed and kept fully prepared to safeguard our borders, protect innocent civilians, and maintain lasting peace and stability in the region. Our people must stand united to defend our land, identity and future. We will not allow such forces to destabilize Manipur.”Several Kuki bodies like Kuki Inpi and Kuki Students Organisation condemned the attack.Hours later, the KNA (B) denied the MLA’s claim. It said the outfit was not involved in any activity within Indian territory. “Several media outlets are irresponsibly trying to drag and tarnish the image of KNA(B) without any credible evidence and facts,” it added.Security forces neither confirmed nor denied the use of drones in the attack.