SENAPATI/UKHRUL: A pastor who was shot while fleeing an armed attack was brought to the District Hospital, Senapati, on Wednesday, as reports emerged of widespread destruction in three Liangmai Naga villages under T. Waichong Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district.
More than 30 houses, including a church, were reportedly burnt, while vehicles, heavy machinery, food stocks and other livelihood assets were destroyed in the attack, which began in the early hours of Tuesday and continued for several hours.
The affected villages were Pipuram Makui, Naga Tapon (Old) and Naga Tapon Namsan (New). Two civilians, including pastor Luithuibou Newmai, were reportedly injured.
Speaking from his hospital bed at the District Hospital, Senapati, pastor Luithuibou recounted how he remained trapped amid continuous firing from around 3:45 am until nearly 12:30 pm.
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“As I tried to move out, I was shot,” he said.
The pastor sustained injuries to his right hand and back. Doctors reportedly found around seven pellets lodged near his spine. He said the bag he was carrying, which contained his Bible and a torchlight, may have helped save his life.
The attack left extensive damage across the villages. At least 13 houses, including a church granary, were reportedly burnt in Naga Tapon Namsan (New), while at least 10 houses, including a church, were destroyed in Naga Tapon (Old).
Several vehicles and heavy machinery, including trucks, a JCB, a stone crusher, motorcycles and an Eeco van, were also reportedly burnt.
The incident has also raised questions over the security response, particularly the time taken to reach the affected villages.
Pastor Luithuibou alleged that security personnel stationed nearby could have reached the villages within five to seven minutes. However, he claimed that firing continued for several hours without intervention, while security forces from Senapati reportedly reached the area only around 1 pm.
The reported security response has become a major concern among local residents. During a recent combing operation at Taphou, around 1,000 COBRA personnel were reportedly deployed. Locals have questioned why a similar level of security presence was not available when three vulnerable villages came under a prolonged armed attack.
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The injured pastor could not be evacuated on Tuesday due to the absence of an ambulance and was brought to Senapati only on Wednesday under security escort.
Meanwhile, the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, has called upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to immediately ensure the protection of vulnerable villages, safeguard civilian lives and bring those responsible for the attack and destruction to justice.
