At least nine houses and a church were set ablaze after unidentified armed men allegedly opened fire in a Naga village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, officials said on Wednesday. The attack took place at around 9.30pm on Tuesday in Tokpa Liangmai Naga village, near Tumnoupokpi Thangal village. Residents from neighbouring villages rushed to the area and helped bring the fire under control, while additional security personnel were deployed following the incident.
The Tokpa Naga Village Authority condemned the alleged attack and arson, saying the assailants had carried out indiscriminate firing before setting fire to residential properties. “The assailants reportedly resorted to indiscriminate firing and set fire to nine residential houses, one church and other properties causing extensive damage and displacing affected families,” the authority said in a statement.
The village body also alleged that CRPF personnel and Kangpokpi police stationed at Kalaphar High School, close to the site, failed to respond promptly despite repeated appeals for help. It has sought an FIR and a probe into the incident, along with enhanced security and immediate relief, rehabilitation and compensation for the affected families.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, also condemned the attack and alleged that armed members of another community were responsible. It called on the government and security agencies to respond “with urgency and impartiality”. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in Kangpokpi district.
Meanwhile, the Manipur government said security forces and other law enforcement agencies had recovered 1,422 firearms, 7,010 rounds of ammunition and 1,137 explosives across the state between February 5 and August 11. The recoveries were part of intensified security operations alongside efforts by the government to restore peace in the violence-hit state.
