Kumar Bahukhandi
At least nine houses were burnt after armed assailants allegedly opened fire and set fire to homes in a Naga village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, with no casualties reported-Photo Credit: channel24india.com
Attackers Allegedly Open Fire Before Setting Houses Ablaze; Security Personnel Deployed
Guwahati: Armed assailants opened fire and torched at least nine houses during a late Tuesday night attack on a Naga village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, security officials said on Wednesday. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.
Officials said the assailants opened fire before setting houses, most of them makeshift structures, ablaze at Tokpa Liangmai Naga village, also referred to as Tokpa Naga village, in the Champai area.
“Residents of nearby villages rushed to the spot and helped in containing the blaze,” officials said, adding that additional security personnel had been deployed in the area.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, condemned the incident and alleged that armed men from another community were behind the attack. It claimed that around 10 houses and a church were burnt.
“The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, residential properties and a place of worship constitutes a grave and reprehensible act of violence,” the council said in a statement.
The council demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, a swift and impartial investigation and strengthening of security in the area. It also expressed concern over reports that security personnel were stationed nearby in what it described as a sensitive area.
The TokpI Naga Village Authority alleged, “Despite timely appeals and emergency requests made by neighbouring villagers, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Kangpokpi police personnel stationed at Kalapahar High School did not respond immediately.”
A senior police officer said miscreants fired several rounds at Tokpai Liangmai Naga village before setting several houses on fire. Police said the incident occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday.
Security sources, however, have not publicly confirmed the exact number of houses damaged or identified those responsible.
The attack came a day after unidentified armed persons allegedly set fire to at least five abandoned houses at Kailenjang village in neighbouring Senapati district.
According to police, Monday’s arson took place around 1.30 pm, about 5 km west of Senapati police station. The attackers fled after setting the houses ablaze and their identities remain unknown.
