Kangpokpi (Assam), 01 September (HS): Several Naga settlements along the Imphal–Tamenglong (IT) Road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district reportedly came under attack by armed groups early Tuesday morning, with intense firing heard in the area from around 4 a.m.

Local sources said Tapon Khunou and Tapon Kullen were among the villages reportedly targeted. Pipuram, a Liangmai Naga village located about eight kilometres from Makui, was also allegedly set on fire during the violence.

No casualties had been reported immediately, although the extent of damage was still being assessed.

The Makui Village Authority condemned the reported attack on Pipuram, calling it an “inhuman act.” In a statement, the authority alleged that armed Kuki militants opened an indiscriminate fire on the village before setting houses and other properties ablaze.

According to the village authority, several homes were destroyed, while food grains and household belongings were also lost. It further alleged that the attackers later moved towards the main Makui Naga village and continued firing in its direction, with attempts reportedly made to set houses on fire.

The authority also linked Tuesday’s incident to an August 27 ambush between Makui Ashang and Thanamba villages, in which four Makui villagers were reportedly killed. It alleged that the latest violence reflected a continuing pattern of attacks on Liangmai Naga settlements along the IT Road.

The Makui Village Authority further claimed that the repeated incidents were intended to drive Liangmai Naga residents from the area and facilitate control over their ancestral land.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash