Armed Men Attack Naga Village In Kangpokpi, Torch Several Houses
Attackers Allegedly Open Fire Before Setting Houses Ablaze; Security Personnel Deployed
At least nine houses were burnt down in an attack by armed assailants on a Naga village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district late Tuesday night. The incident occurred at Tokpa Liangmai Naga village, also known as Tokpa Naga village, in the Champai area, security sources said. Armed assailants allegedly opened fire before setting fire to the houses, most of which were kutcha (makeshift or temporary) structures.
Residents of nearby villages rushed to the spot and helped contain the blaze, officials said. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the area to control the situation.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, strongly condemned the incident. It alleged that armed men from another community were behind the attack and claimed that around 10 houses and a church were burnt.
"The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, residential properties and a place of worship constitutes a grave and reprehensible act of violence," the council said in a statement.
It demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, a swift and impartial investigation, and immediate strengthening of security in the area. The council also expressed concern over reports that security personnel were stationed nearby in what it described as a sensitive area.
Security sources, however, have not publicly confirmed the exact number of houses damaged or identified those responsible. No casualties or injuries were reported so far.
The incident has heightened local concerns over security in the hill areas of the state.
The incident came a day after unidentified armed individuals allegedly set fire to at least five abandoned houses at Kailenjang village in neighbouring Senapati district.
According to police, Monday's arson took place at around 1.30 pm, approximately five kilometres west of Senapati police station. The attackers fled after setting the houses alight, and their identities remain unknown.
A senior police officer said that miscreants fired several rounds at Tokpa Liangmai Naga village before setting fire to several houses. Police said the incident took place around 10 pm on Tuesday.
The Tokpa Naga Village Authority, in a statement, alleged, "Despite timely appeals and emergency requests made by neighbouring villagers, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Kangpokpi Police stationed at Kalapahar High School, who were stationed in close proximity, did not respond immediately."
