Three Kuki houses torched in Manipur's Kailenjang, fresh tension along Kangpokpi-Senapati border

Three houses belonging to Kuki residents were allegedly set ablaze in Kailenjang village of Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, October 7 while gunfire was reported in the area, triggering fresh security concerns in the largely deserted settlement.

Security officials confirmed the burning of the three houses. No casualties have been reported in the latest incident. The identity of those responsible and the motive behind the arson were not immediately known.

Residents of neighbouring villages reported hearing gunfire in and around Kailenjang at around 2 pm. Security personnel were subsequently monitoring the situation, while the reported firing was being verified.

Two platoons of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in the area, with one stationed at Kailenjang and another deployed in a village immediately below it. CRPF personnel were reportedly present when armed individuals allegedly set the three houses on fire. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the arson occurred despite the security deployment, were not immediately clear.

Kailenjang is located around 10 km west of Senapati district headquarters, in the hills above Taphou village. The settlement has remained largely deserted since a September 26 attack in which three Naga civilians were killed.

The September 26 incident began when unidentified gunmen opened fire at the residence of the village chief. Two civilians were killed on the spot, while two others sustained injuries. One of the injured later succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to three.

The attack prompted residents to leave the area amid heightened security concerns.

The latest arson has raised concerns over the safety of property and displaced residents in villages affected by the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur.

Security officials suspect the possible involvement of armed elements in Wednesday's arson, although the allegation has not been independently established. Further details regarding the identities of those responsible and the circumstances surrounding the firing and torching of the houses are awaited.

Security forces continue to monitor the area.