At least 30 houses were set ablaze and a villager was injured in firing after armed attackers targeted three Liangmai Naga villages in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district early Tuesday, officials said, according
to a report by India Today.
The attack took place around 4 am in Tapon Khullen, Tapon Khunou and Makui Pipuram villages. The attackers allegedly opened fire and torched houses and other property before security forces reached the area.
A villager sustained a bullet injury, while residential properties, vehicles and other belongings were damaged. Police said the full extent of the losses was still being assessed.
Forces Launch Search Operation
Additional security personnel, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its CoBRA unit and Manipur Police, were deployed following the attack.
Security forces launched search operations in and around the affected villages. Officials said firing continued for several hours, lasting until around 12.30 pm.
The violence comes a day after three Kuki civilians were killed in a separate firing incident in the same district, raising fears of further retaliatory attacks along the Imphal-Tamenglong road.
On Monday, suspected militants armed with sophisticated weapons attacked N Teikhang village, under T Waichong subdivision, at around 9.30 am, officials said.
The three victims were identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum, 40, Hoineineng Lhoujem, 21, and Lamtinthang Lhoujem, 35. Four others — Nemneichong Lhoujem, 50, Seilun Lhoujem, 70, Deilhing Haokip, 55, and Kamtinsei Chongloi, 38 — were injured.
Fresh Tensions
Officials said the back-to-back attacks have heightened tensions between the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities in the region. At least 17 people from the two communities have been killed in separate incidents since May 13.
No group has officially claimed responsibility for the latest attacks.
Security forces remain deployed in the affected areas and are conducting searches to prevent further violence. Authorities are also investigating the firing and arson and assessing the damage.
Manipur has witnessed prolonged ethnic violence since May 2023 between the valley-based Meiteis and the hill-based Kukis. At least 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the conflict.
President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. It was lifted in February 2026, with Y Khemchand Singh becoming chief minister.
(With inputs from PTI)
