Several Naga villages along IT road in Manipur's Kangpokpi reportedly attacked, houses set ablaze

Several Naga villages along the Imphal–Tamenglong (IT) Road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district were reportedly attacked and houses set ablaze by armed groups on Tuesday, September 1 morning, with sustained firing reported in the area from around 4 a.m., according to local sources.

Tapon Khunou and Tapon Kullen villages were among the settlements reportedly targeted in the attacks. Pipuram, a Liangmai Naga village located around eight kilometres from Makui, was also reportedly set ablaze, sources said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the incident.

The Makui Village Authority, in a statement, strongly condemned the reported attack on Pipuram village and described it as an inhuman act. According to the authority, armed Kuki militants allegedly attacked Pipuram at around 4 a.m., opened indiscriminate fire and subsequently set houses and other properties on fire.

The authority alleged that households were destroyed and food grains and other belongings were lost in the incident. It further claimed that the armed group subsequently attacked the main Makui Naga village and continued firing towards the settlement.

According to the statement, the attackers allegedly attempted to set houses on fire and cause casualties in the village.

The Makui Village Authority also referred to an earlier incident on August 27, in which four villagers from Makui were reportedly killed in an ambush between Makui Ashang village and Thanamba village. It alleged that the latest attack was part of a continuing pattern of violence against Liangmai Naga settlements along the IT Road.

The authority alleged that the repeated attacks were aimed at forcing Liangmai Naga residents out of the area and taking control of their ancestral land.

The allegations could not be independently verified immediately. Further details regarding the security situation, damage to property and any casualties were awaited.