A 54-year-old CRPF personnel was injured during firing in Manipur's Senapati and adjoining areas of Kangpokpi district, while several houses were reportedly burnt or damaged. The situation escalated on Monday morning after a series of incidents were reported from Taphou Kuki and nearby areas. Security forces have since been deployed across the affected locations as authorities work to establish the circumstances behind the violence.
The first fire incident was reported at around 2.40 am from Taphou Kuki, with fire services personnel reaching the area at about 3.30 am. Further incidents were reported after 4 am around 9MR and Mareimei, where houses belonging to members of Naga tribes were reportedly targeted. Preliminary information indicated that one house at Taphou Kuki was burnt, while other properties in nearby Naga settlements were reportedly damaged.
Tensions escalated at around 9.20 am when firing broke out as journalists were covering the situation and recording footage of the damaged properties. A 54-year-old jawan of the 36 CRPF was injured at Liangmai Taphou and taken to the district hospital in Senapati for treatment. The circumstances of the firing remain under investigation, with the injured personnel reportedly unable to determine the direction from which the firing originated.
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The violence also affected movement along National Highway 2, the Imphal-Dimapur highway, after members of Naga tribes reportedly blocked the major road link between Manipur and Nagaland. The Taphou Kuki Village Authority condemned the burning and destruction of a house belonging to a local villager, describing the incident as unacceptable. It appealed to authorities to investigate the matter and identify those responsible.
The village authority also appealed to all sides to refrain from violence, arson and destruction of property. In its statement, it asked those involved in the burning of the house to come forward within 24 hours and resolve the matter according to Kuki customary law. The authority said it would not be responsible for any unauthorised incidents occurring thereafter.
Security forces have been deployed in Taphou and adjoining areas of Senapati and Kangpokpi districts as tensions continue. Authorities are assessing the full extent of the property damage and investigating the circumstances surrounding the firing. Officials are also working to determine whether there were any additional casualties as the situation remains closely monitored.
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