Armed Attackers Torch Nine Houses In Fresh Violence Across Manipur’s Kangpokpi District
Nine houses were torched in Kangpokpi.
At least nine houses were allegedly set ablaze by unidentified armed individuals in Tokpa Liangmai Naga village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday night, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred at around 9.30 pm near Tumnoupokpi Thangal village, according to officials. Locals have alleged that security personnel stationed nearby did not respond immediately as the attack unfolded. According to a statement issued by the Tokpa Naga Village Authority (TNVA) on Wednesday, a group of armed men wearing camouflage uniforms entered Tokpa Naga village and were allegedly carrying sophisticated automatic weapons.
The group reportedly opened indiscriminate fire before setting fire to nine residential houses, a church and other properties in the area. The TNVA said the attack caused extensive damage and resulted in the displacement of families living in the affected houses. The village authority described the incident as a serious security concern and alleged that the attackers were able to carry out the arson despite the presence of security personnel in the vicinity. The village authority specifically alleged that personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Kangpokpi Police were stationed at Kalaphar High School, close to the location of the incident.
According to the TNVA, residents made repeated appeals for assistance but claimed that the security forces did not respond immediately. The allegations have not been independently verified, and authorities have not yet provided a detailed account of the security response. The incident came after the lifting of a counter-economic blockade imposed by the working committee of the Kuki civil society organisations. The blockade had been introduced in retaliation for an indefinite blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC). The competing blockades had contributed to tensions and disruptions in parts of Manipur.
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The latest violence adds to the continuing security challenges in Manipur, where ethnic tensions and clashes have repeatedly affected communities and disrupted normal life. The involvement of armed individuals wearing camouflage uniforms and the reported use of automatic weapons have raised concerns over the security situation in the affected area. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arson, identify those responsible and assess the extent of damage to homes and other properties.
The immediate impact has been on the families whose houses were destroyed or damaged in the attack. Further details on casualties, arrests or the official security response were not immediately available. The incident also underscores the fragile situation in Kangpokpi district, where competing community demands and blockades have contributed to heightened tensions. With nine houses and a church reportedly set on fire, residents and local authorities are seeking accountability and stronger security measures to prevent further attacks in the area.
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