41 Naga Houses, Including Churches, Burnt In Makui Villages Of Kangpokpi in Manipur
Informing that 17 houses were completely burnt in Makui Chamriupui, eight in Makui Thanamba and 16 in Makui Thebram, sources said that similar incidents of arson were reported from 5 Naga villages — Makui Chamriupiu, Langka, Thanamba, Kapningching, Tajeikaiphun
Guwahati: In a fresh incident of violence at least 41 Naga houses, including churches, were burnt during nearly 12 hours of violence in the Makui area of Kangpokpi district in Manipur.
Local sources said that the affected villages include Makui Chamriupui, Makui Thanamba and Makui Thebram.
Informing that 17 houses were completely burnt in Makui Chamriupui, eight in Makui Thanamba and 16 in Makui Thebram, sources said that similar incidents of arson were reported from 5 Naga villages — Makui Chamriupiu, Langka, Thanamba, Kapningching, Tajeikaiphun.
The violence reportedly began around 2:30 pm on September 23 and continued until 2:30 am of September 24, with villagers alleging that the attacks were carried out by Kuki militants.
The Makui villagers expressed anger over the security arrangements in the area, questioning why security forces, including CRPF and IRB personnel reportedly stationed within 10 km of the affected villages, failed to prevent the prolonged violence and destruction.
According to local villagers, they attempted to remain in the villages for nearly 12 hours but were eventually forced to flee after their homes were set ablaze. They have since moved towards Makui village.
According to a report of local media there were reports of sporadic clashes between members of Kuki and Naga armed groups on Thursday afternoon in the area. The exact number of casualties, if any, also remains unconfirmed. Security sources have denied any casualties so far.
Security sources said that no large-scale civilian casualties were confirmed in the arson attacks themselves, as many residents had already fled earlier threats or escaped into surrounding forests and temporary shelters such as Makui Khunjao. Displaced families, including women, children, and the elderly, reported lacking adequate food, shelter, and basic necessities. The Makui Village Authority strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a “direct attempt to wipe out Liangmai Nagas from the IT Road area” and seize ancestral land. It linked the violence to earlier incidents, including the killing of four Makui villagers in an alleged ambush on August 27 between Makui Ashang and Thanamba.