Manipur violence: Lineman killed, at least 24 houses set ablaze in fresh attacks

Fresh violence was reported in Manipur’s hill districts on September 23, with a 36-year-old electric lineman shot dead while repairing a power line in Tamenglong district and at least 24 houses in two Naga villages reportedly set ablaze in a separate incident in Kangpokpi district.

The first incident took place at around 4 am at Lasan village under Tamei police station in Tamenglong district, officials said.

The victim was identified as Paojangam Chongloi of Wakotphai village, who was reportedly working on a 33 KV power line when he was shot.

A village authority has since approached police seeking registration of a Zero FIR and an investigation into the killing. The complaint alleged that cadres of the NSCN-IM, along with volunteers from Langka village, were responsible for the attack. The allegation has not been independently established and the identity of the attackers remains under investigation.

The officer-in-charge of Tamei police station said his team was unable to immediately reach the location and that Kangpokpi police had been requested to conduct a spot investigation and take necessary legal action.

Two Naga villages reportedly set ablaze

Hours after the killing, two Naga villages in Kangpokpi district were reportedly attacked and houses set ablaze.

The incidents were reported at Makui Khuman and Makui Thanamba/Chamruioiu villages under Chalwa police station, located around 15 km northeast of the police station.

A resident of Makui Khuman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said armed miscreants allegedly attacked the two villages around 5 am and set houses on fire.

The villages are located around 2-3 km apart and had approximately 12 households each, according to the resident.

The residents had already been displaced following the Kuki-Naga clashes and were staying at Makui Khunjao, around 12 km away.

“When we reached our village, all the houses of both villages, 24 in total, had been reduced to ashes,” the resident said.

The resident also claimed that no security forces had been deployed in the two villages at the time of the incident.

The Makui Village Authority has sought immediate intervention from the Centre and the Manipur government, alleging that several Naga villages along the Kangpokpi-Senapati border came under armed attack and arson early Wednesday. It has sought security deployment, damage assessment and rehabilitation for affected families.

Other reports from the area indicate that attacks and arson were also reported in additional Naga settlements along the Noney-Kangpokpi-Senapati belt, with the full extent of damage still being assessed.

Violence follows recent killings

The latest incidents come days after a 17-year-old Naga boy, identified as Nk Wiphenbou, was killed in an alleged ambush in Tamenglong district on Monday. Reports said the teenager was travelling towards Tamei to buy essential items when he was attacked.

The fresh attacks have added to tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in parts of Tamenglong, Kangpokpi and neighbouring hill districts.

Separately, Kuki community representatives have condemned Chongloi’s killing and called for an impartial investigation. The Kuki Civic Action Committee alleged that the incident was part of a series of attacks affecting settlements along the Imphal-Tamenglong road, while the identity of those responsible remains to be formally established.

Police and security agencies are investigating the incidents amid heightened tensions in the region.