Several residential structures were targeted and set on fire in Liangmai Naga settlements situated along the Imphal-Tamenglong Road in Manipur on Tuesday. The incident unfolded amid an ongoing climate of unrest and conflicting assertions regarding the identities of the perpetrators involved in the violence.
Attacks on Settlements and Property Destruction
According to ground accounts, the localities of Tapon and Thonglang Akutpa bore the brunt of the assault, while Pipuram, a Liangmai Naga village located approximately 8 km away from Makui, was also burned down. Numerous other houses sustained structural damage during the coordinated attacks, threatening about 100 vulnerable Liangmai Naga families who reside in these settlements.
Injuries and Allegations Against Security Response
A local pastor from Tapon village suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach amid prolonged exchange of gunfire. Local residents alleged that despite direct distress calls placed by the Tapon Village Chief to the nearby CRPF post located at Bunglabung Kuki village, security personnel failed to deploy promptly despite giving assurances of assistance.
Deployment of Forces and Unclear Motives
Attacks and gunfire erupted across multiple pockets early Tuesday morning, prompting residents to alert authorities about burning homes. In the aftermath of the escalation, security personnel including the CRPF and the Rapid Action Force were dispatched to patrol the Liangmai Naga habitations along the IT Road corridor. The underlying circumstances, including the precise identity and objectives of those responsible, remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Wider Unrest and Official Stance
The grievances voiced by local inhabitants have not received independent verification, and official authorities are yet to release a comprehensive statement documenting the exact casualties, attacks, or the full extent of material loss. This flare-up coincides with broader turmoil along the IT Road in Kangpokpi, where recent assaults have reportedly claimed the lives of Kuki civilians and left several wounded. Security agencies are actively probing the sequence of events.
