The flames of ethnic conflict and violence have once again flared up in the northeastern state of Manipur. In the sensitive Kangpokpi district of the state, in the early hours of Tuesday, heavily armed miscreants created a massive ruckus, targeting the villages of Liangmei Naga community. The attackers fired indiscriminately and set fire to at least 30 houses, vehicles and properties, due to which the entire area went up in flames. It has been confirmed that a villager was seriously injured in the firing. After the incident, tension has reached its peak in the entire area and in view of security, the deadly Cobra (CoBRA) unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and additional contingents of the state police have been deployed. The attack started at 4 am: Huge devastation in Tapan and Makui villages. According to police and local sources, this dreadful incident started at around 4:00 am. A large group of armed miscreants surrounded Tapon Khullen, Tapon Khunou and Makui Pipuram villages from three sides on the Imphal-Tamenglong Road (IT Road) in Kangpokpi district. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers first fired indiscriminately at the villages, causing panic among the villagers and people ran towards the nearby forests to save their lives. After this, the miscreants sprinkled petrol and kerosene on residential houses and set them on fire. Till around 12:30 pm, intermittent heavy firing and explosions were heard in the area. More than 30 houses, grain stores and vehicles were completely burnt to ashes in the fire, leaving dozens of families homeless. Fresh retaliation after 3 deaths on Monday This latest arson in Kangpokpi is believed to be the result of another violent incident that happened just 24 hours ago. On Monday (31 August) morning, N. under T. Vaichong sub-division of the same district. Three Kuki civilians, including two women, were shot dead and four others were injured when suspected militants attacked Teikhang Kuki village. After this triple murder, there was huge anger in the area and tribal organizations had called for a 24-hour bandh. This attack on Naga dominated villages on Tuesday morning is being seen as a retaliatory attack of the same incident. According to official data, so far more than 17 people have lost their lives in sporadic clashes between the Kuki-Jo and Naga communities in the last few months along this corridor. Joint search operation of Cobra Commandos and security forces: As soon as the information about the incident was received, the soldiers of Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and Cobra Unit of CRPF took charge. Security forces have cordoned off the entire area and have launched an intensive combing and search operation to nab the suspected attackers hiding in the forests. Sensitive hill peaks are being monitored with drones and modern surveillance cameras. The district administration and police officials have appealed to the people to maintain peace and not pay heed to rumours. The affected families rendered homeless are being shifted to safe places and relief camps. However, the situation in the entire Kangpokpi and Tamenglong border areas is said to be extremely tense but under control following deepening mistrust and fresh violence between the two sides.
