Fresh firing, alleged mortar attack reported along Kangpokpi’s IT road, Kuki groups seek action

Fresh incidents of gunfire and alleged mortar attacks were reported along the violence-hit IT Road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, September 1 morning with Kuki civil society organisations and village authorities alleging attacks on civilian settlements by armed groups and questioning the conduct of security forces deployed in the area.

The latest incidents were reported from the Chaljang-Lhouthang-Twilang belt, a day after an alleged attack on N. Teikhang village in which three civilians, including two women, were killed and several others injured, according to Kuki organisations.

The Chaljang Village Authority alleged that its village came under heavy attack at around 8.05 am on Tuesday, with bombs reportedly fired towards the settlement. The authority alleged that the assault was carried out by a Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM group and its alleged proxy outfit, ZUF-K.

The village authority said the incident triggered panic among residents and accused the attackers of targeting civilian areas. It also alleged that security personnel deployed to protect villagers failed to intervene effectively.

Expressing concern over the security arrangements, the authority demanded the removal of the Central security force unit stationed at Makui, alleging that its presence had failed to ensure the safety of villagers. It also sought an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident and legal action against those found responsible.

The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Coordinating Committee separately alleged that a series of attacks took place between around 4.40 am and 8.45 am from areas including Tapon, Theparam and Makui.

According to the committee, the alleged attacks targeted Kuki civilians and residential areas despite repeated appeals by civil society organisations for peace and restraint. It alleged that firing at Lhouthang and Chaljang occurred in the vicinity of the CRPF station at Makui.

The committee alleged that NSCN-IM, ZUF(K) and Liangmei village guards were involved in the attacks. It further claimed that three heavy mortar bombs were fired towards Chaljang, of which two exploded while another failed to detonate.

One civilian, identified as 25-year-old Lamkhojang of Lhouthang, was injured in the firing, the committee said.

The committee also raised questions over four incidents involving security arrangements in the area. These included an alleged denial of passage to an ambulance carrying deceased and injured persons at Lasan, alleged firing at village volunteers, an alleged firing incident at Langka and the reported mortar attack on Chaljang.

The allegations followed the reported attack on N. Teikhang village on August 31. According to the CSO committee, one man and two women were killed and several others injured in that incident. The organisation alleged that the same groups were responsible.

The Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers (KZVV), Twilang Lhang, also issued a statement alleging that at around 4.50 am, NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) cadres, allegedly assisted by Liangmei village guards, opened fire from the direction of Tapon village and Chawangkining.

The KZVV said the firing created panic among residents and claimed that its personnel were compelled to respond to protect civilians and villages.

The organisation warned that further attacks, intimidation or deliberate provocation against Kuki-Zo civilians and settlements would not be tolerated. At the same time, it appealed to authorities to take immediate measures to prevent further violence, protect vulnerable residents and restore normalcy.

The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Coordinating Committee also urged all sides to exercise restraint and called for immediate and impartial intervention by the authorities.

The organisations said civilians, particularly women and other vulnerable residents, must be protected and those responsible for violence and alleged human rights violations must be held accountable.

The latest allegations have added to concerns over the security situation along the IT Road, where reports of armed clashes, attacks on civilian settlements and disputes over the role of security forces have intensified in recent days.