Fresh violence in Manipur's Senapati leaves CRPF personnel injured, houses set ablaze

A CRPF personnel was injured and at least two houses were reportedly set ablaze during a fresh outbreak of violence in the Taphou area of Manipur's Senapati district on Monday, August 24 triggering tension between Naga and Kuki communities.

According to officials, Sub-Inspector (General Duty) Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion, CRPF, sustained a bullet injury to his left foot during an exchange of fire between armed groups at around 10 am. He was evacuated to Senapati Hospital for treatment.

The firing reportedly followed the burning of two houses belonging to members of different communities by unidentified miscreants. Police sources said one of the houses belonged to a member of the Kuki community, while the other belonged to a member of the Poumai Naga community.

The circumstances leading to the arson and subsequent exchange of fire were not immediately clear. There was also no official confirmation regarding the identity of those responsible.

Additional security personnel were deployed in the Taphou area to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. Several local residents reportedly began leaving the area amid concerns over renewed violence.

Locals also alleged that armed Kuki groups were attacking a Liangmai Naga village. The allegation could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, protesters reportedly blocked National Highway-2, which connects Imphal with Dimapur, near Senapati headquarters. Visuals from the area showed burning tyres and debris placed on the highway.

The Taphou Kuki Village Authority condemned the burning of a Kuki-owned house and described the incident as "highly deplorable, inhuman and unacceptable". It called on the district administration and police to identify those responsible and initiate legal action.

The village authority also issued a 24-hour deadline for those involved in the burning of the house to come forward and resolve the matter according to Kuki customary law.

The latest violence comes amid heightened tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in the region following a series of violent incidents.

On May 13, twin ambushes by unidentified armed men at two separate locations in Noney and Kangpokpi districts left four people dead, including three church leaders and a Naga man. The attacks were followed by retaliatory violence, during which 48 civilians from the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities were reportedly held captive by opposing groups.

The hostages were released nearly a month later. Subsequently, six Naga men were found dead near Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the case. Four people, including a couple, were arrested in July in two separate operations as part of the investigation.

Security forces continue to remain deployed in and around Taphou as authorities work to restore normalcy and prevent further violence.