UKHRUL/SENAPATI: At least four Liangmai Naga villages along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road under T. Vaichong Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district came under attack from suspected Kuki militants early Tuesday morning, with two villages reportedly burnt down completely.
The attack reportedly began around 4:30 am, with firing continuing through the morning.
Tapon Namsan and Makui Pipuram were reportedly looted and burnt down completely, while firing was reported in Thonglang Akut and Upper Tapon till around midday.
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Sources said the villages came under fire from different locations, leaving the affected areas surrounded by suspected Kuki militants. A pastor from Tapon village was reportedly injured in the firing.
The affected villages comprise around 100 Liangmai Naga households, according to local sources.
Two CRPF Casper vehicles reportedly moved from Chawangkining towards the affected villages around 12:30 pm, sources said.
According to sources, the Tapon village chief had sought protection from the CRPF post stationed at Bunglabung Kuki village. Villagers alleged that security forces did not respond despite assurances that permission would be sought from the camp commander.
A CRPF company is stationed around 6–7 km away at Chawangkining village, while an Indian Army unit is reportedly stationed around 4–5 km from Tapon. The nearest police station is believed to be around 30 km away.
Reacting to Tuesday’s arson, the Makui Village Authority, in a press condemnation issued on September 1, accused Kuki militants of attacking and burning houses in Makui Pipuram.
The VA linked the latest attack to the killing of four Makui villagers on August 27, who were allegedly ambushed between Makui Ashang and Thanamba villages.
It said the repeated attacks were a “direct attempt to wipe out Liangmai Nagas from IT Road area and to grab our ancestral land.” The VA condemned the attack and called for an end to the violence.
No casualty figure, apart from the reported injury to the Tapon pastor, has been independently confirmed so far.
Further details are awaited.
Also read Kangpokpi: Three civilians reportedly killed, four injured in Teikhang village attack
The latest incident comes a day after an attack on Teikhang Kuki village in Kangpokpi district on August 31, in which three civilians were killed and four others critically injured.
