30 houses set afire, villager shot as Manipur's Kangpokpi witnesses fresh violence
30 houses set afire, villager shot as Manipur's Kangpokpi witnesses fresh violence
M.U.H
02/09/202610
At least 30 houses were set ablaze, and a villager sustained a bullet injury after armed miscreants attacked three Liangmai Naga villages in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district early Tuesday, officials said.
The violence came a day after three Kuki civilians were killed in a separate firing incident in the same district, raising fresh concerns over retaliatory attacks along the Imphal-Tamenglong road.
According to police, the latest attack took place around 4 am in Tapon Khullen, Tapon Khunou and Makui Pipuram villages. The attackers allegedly opened fire and set houses and other property on fire before security forces reached the affected area.
A senior police officer said additional forces, including personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and its CoBRA unit, along with Manipur Police, were deployed to the area.
Security personnel subsequently launched a search operation in and around the villages. Officials said the exchange of gunfire continued for several hours and lasted until around 12.30 pm.
During an assessment of the affected area, security personnel found extensive damage to residential properties, vehicles and other belongings.
At least 30 houses were found to have been damaged or destroyed in the arson. Police, however, said the exact extent of the losses was still being assessed and the final number of affected properties had not yet been established.
The latest violence follows Monday’s attack on Teikhang Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, in which three civilians, including two women, were killed and four others injured.
The back-to-back incidents have heightened tensions in an area that has witnessed repeated attacks and counter-attacks involving members of the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities.
Officials said 17 people from the two communities have been killed in separate incidents since May 13.
An August 27 ambush reportedly claimed the lives of four Naga civilians, while the August 31 attack in the surrounding Kangpokpi-Tamenglong area killed three Kuki civilians.
No group has so far officially claimed responsibility for the recent attacks. Security forces are maintaining a heightened presence in the affected areas and continuing search operations to prevent further violence.
Authorities are also expected to assess the damage, investigate the firing and arson, and determine the identities and whereabouts of those involved.
