Naga villages in Kangpokpi attacked for over nine hours, Village Authority alleges

UKHRUL: The Naga Tapon Village Authority has alleged that three Liangmai Naga villages under T. Waichong Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district came under a coordinated armed attack early Tuesday morning, with the firing reportedly continuing for more than nine hours.

The Village Authority In a press release Tuesday evening said the attack began at around 3:30 am and continued until approximately 12:30 pm, when CRPF personnel arrived in the affected villages.

The villages named in the statement are Pipuram Makui, Naga Tapon (Old) and Naga Tapon Namsan (New).

Also read Four Liangmai Naga villages attacked, two burnt down; pastor injured

The Village Authority claimed that more than 300 heavily armed Kuki militants participated in the attack, during which houses and other properties were allegedly set on fire.

According to the statement, G. Abonmai, vice-president of Tapon Namsan village, was wounded. Eighteen houses, a truck, two two-wheelers, an Eeco van, a rice mill and church properties were reportedly gutted in Naga Tapon Namsan.

In Naga Tapon (Old), pastor Luithuibou Newmai of Naga Tapon Baptist Church was allegedly shot and critically wounded while attempting to flee to safety. The VA said 10 houses, two trucks and a JCB were also burnt, while the church was badly damaged.

The statement further alleged that armed cadres surrounded the three villages simultaneously, entered and ransacked houses and subsequently set homes and other properties on fire. Food stocks, granaries, household belongings and livelihood assets were also reportedly destroyed.

The VA also alleged that the 112 Battalion CRPF Echo Company at Banglabung, located around 2 km from Naga Tapon, failed to respond despite being informed about the attack and receiving repeated distress calls.

The VA expressed concern over what it described as possible coordination among Kuki armed groups operating within and outside the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework.

It also alleged that KNF/UPF Home Secretary Jangboi Kipgen and KNF/UPF president ST Thangboi Kipgen alias Sema Kipgen may have played a role in planning, coordinating or facilitating attacks against Naga villages along the Imphal-Tamenglong Road.

The Village Authority further claimed that a KNF/UPF leadership-level meeting may have taken place in early August, during which mobilisation of armed cadres and possible attacks against Naga villages were allegedly discussed.

Also read Kuki Inpi directs Kuki-Zo MLAs to skip Assembly session

The Naga Tapon Village Authority has demanded:

1. Full and adequate compensation and restitution for all destroyed houses, granaries, food reserves, livestock, household belongings, agricultural assets, and other properties and livelihoods lost in the attack.
2. Immediate deployment of a permanent security base comprising CAPF, Army, Assam Rifles or State forces personnel directly within the affected Naga villages, particularly Naga Tapon, Naga Tapon Namsan and Pipuram Makui, to ensure continuous protection of civilians and surrounding villages.
3. Immediate and impartial combing and search operations in the affected and surrounding areas to identify, disarm and apprehend the armed persons involved in the attack, in accordance with the law.
4. A time-bound and independent investigation into the planning, financing, mobilisation, command and execution of the attack, including the alleged involvement of individuals and armed groups named in connection with the incident.
5. Urgent specialised medical treatment and state-sponsored critical care for the critically injured pastor and all other injured civilians.
6. Immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, medicines, temporary shelter and essential supplies, for families whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed.