Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing visited Pilong village on Saturday, two days after four civilians were killed in an incident he described as a “territorial invasion” rather than a communal clash. The village, located about 35 kilometres from Kamjong district headquarters near Border Pillars 91 to 93, is one of the last settlements along the Manipur‑Myanmar frontier.
At the site, Keishing condemned the killings and raised questions about the role of the Assam Rifles in safeguarding border residents. He urged the deployment of state security forces, noting that border villages such as Pilong and Skipe have been abandoned because of security concerns.
Keishing has written to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh requesting the stationing of three companies of the Indian Reserve Police or Manipur Rifles to protect civilians and strengthen border security.
Police investigators recovered 15 to 20 spent bullet casings from the scene on September 24, including casings from AK‑47 and M16 rifles, and found blood stains on the premises of victim Vareishim Jajo.
The MLA also discovered that a Manipur Police outpost established in 2020 at nearby Skipe had been withdrawn, leaving the village deserted. He said repeated threats and gunfire had forced residents to leave, and he called on both the central and state governments to take immediate measures to prevent further displacement.
