At least 3 Liangmai Naga villages in Kangpokpi district were reportedly attacked by armed men in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving a village pastor injured and several houses and vehicles destroyed in a fresh outbreak of violence along the Imphal–Tamenglong Road.
The affected villages have been identified as Tapon Khunjao, Tapon Khunou and Makui Tiporam, located around 15 km northeast of Chalwa Police Station.
Local residents and village authorities alleged that armed Kuki militants carried out the attacks. There was, however, no immediate official confirmation from the police regarding the identity or affiliation of those responsible.
According to reports from the area, firing and explosions began at around 4 am and continued for several hours. Residents of Thonglang village, situated around seven kilometres from the affected area, said they could hear sustained gunfire and explosions until approximately 12.30 pm.
Chalwa Police Station reportedly received information about the violence at around 5.30 am. Detailed information from the affected villages remained difficult to obtain during the initial hours as security personnel were reportedly unable to immediately reach the locations.
A pastor identified as N. Luithuibou, 49, of Tapon Khunjao, sustained bullet injuries to his hand and abdomen during the violence.
Liangmai village guards, reportedly armed with single- and double-barrel guns, confronted the attackers and attempted to defend the settlements. Villagers claimed that their resistance prevented the violence from resulting in a much larger tragedy.
The response of security forces has, however, drawn criticism from residents. Villagers alleged that personnel of the 94 CRPF stationed at Makui and the 112 CRPF stationed at Banglabung had been informed about the attack early in the morning but reached the affected area only at around 1 pm.
Local reports said houses and other properties were set ablaze during the attack. In the Tapon area alone, around 10 houses along with household belongings were reportedly completely destroyed.
Several vehicles and pieces of machinery were also burnt. These reportedly included a JCB, a Gypsy, a truck, a Shaktiman vehicle, a Bolero Pickup and a motorcycle. The Shaktiman, truck and JCB were said to belong to an individual identified as Kabailungbou.
The exact extent of damage in Makui Tiporam could not immediately be established, partly because of the absence of mobile network connectivity in the village.
Separate reports from the area said Tapon Khunou, Tapon Kullen and Pipuram were also affected during the violence. Pipuram, described as a Liangmai Naga settlement, was reportedly set ablaze.
The Makui Village Authority, while condemning the attack, alleged that armed Kuki militants had opened indiscriminate fire before setting houses and other properties on fire. It further alleged that the armed men subsequently fired towards Makui Naga village.
The latest violence has renewed concerns over the security of Liangmai Naga settlements situated along the Imphal–Tamenglong Road and adjoining hill ranges, particularly in the wake of recent tensions in the area.
Initial reports indicated that Tapon Khunjao has five houses with around 40 residents, Tapon Khunou nine houses with around 30 residents and Makui Tiporam five houses with around 30 residents. Separately, Census 2011 data for the larger Tapon Naga village recorded 65 households and a population of 331.
Residents of the affected areas have called for greater security deployment, an investigation into the attacks and measures to prevent further violence against settlements along the IT Road.
