Correspondent
IMPHAL, AUG 12 (NPN): At least nine houses were torched when armed miscreants attacked Tokpa, a Liangmai Naga village in Kangpokpi district late Tuesday night around 10 p.m. Reports said several rounds were also fired during the assault.
The torched houses were mostly kutcha structures. Villagers, aided by neighbours, managed to contain the blaze and prevent further damage. No casualties were reported, though the incident triggered fresh tension in the already volatile district.
The attack came barely two days after miscreants set houses ablaze in Kailenjang village of Senapati district on August 10.
With tension escalating, additional security forces have been deployed in the area. The Tokpa Naga Village Authority and Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) Manipur condemned the attack, alleging that armed men in camouflage uniforms entered the village around 9:30 p.m., opened fire, and set ablaze nine houses, a church and other properties.
The village authority accused CRPF personnel stationed at Kalapahar High School and Kangpokpi district police of failing to respond despite emergency calls. It demanded registration of an FIR, arrest of those involved, deployment of more security, and immediate relief and compensation for affected families.
In its statement, the Liangmai Naga Council blamed armed Kuki militants, claiming ten houses and a church were burnt.
It termed the attack on civilians and a place of worship a “grave and reprehensible act of violence,” and demanded a swift, impartial investigation along with strengthened security to protect lives and property.