30 Houses Torched, Villager Shot as Fresh Violence Erupts in Manipur’s Kangpokpi

Fresh violence has erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, with at least 30 houses set ablaze and a villager suffering a bullet injury in an early-morning attack on three Liangmai Naga villages.

The attack took place around 4 am in Tapon Khullen, Tapon Khunou and Makui Pipuram. Armed attackers allegedly opened fire and torched homes, vehicles and other property.

Firing continued for several hours, reportedly until around 12.30 pm. CRPF, CoBRA and Manipur Police were deployed, while search operations were launched to track down those responsible.

The latest attack came a day after three Kuki civilians were killed and four others injured in a separate firing incident in the same district, raising fears of retaliatory violence.

The ethnic conflict in Manipur began between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023 and later involved several other communities. Since then, Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have largely shut each other out of areas dominated by their respective groups.

At least 260 people have been killed and around 60,000 displaced since the violence began. The prolonged conflict has also triggered repeated clashes and heightened tensions across the state.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks. Security forces remain deployed in the affected areas as authorities investigate the incidents and assess the damage.