Tension prevailed along the Kangpokpi Senapati border in Manipur after a series of arson attacks triggered an armed confrontation between people from neighbouring villages.
The latest incidents were reported in the early hours of Monday, August 24, in the Taphou area, a sensitive border belt between Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
According to local sources, a pucca house belonging to Paojalun Chongloi at Taphou Kuki Village was allegedly set ablaze at around 2:30 am. The house was completely destroyed, along with household belongings and important documents. The family members reportedly escaped unharmed.
A suspected retaliatory attack was subsequently reported at nearby Liangmei Taphou Village, where an allegedly unoccupied kutcha house located close to the roadside was reportedly torched.
The incidents were followed by an armed confrontation involving people from villages on both sides of the Kangpokpi-Senapati border. Local sources said the confrontation initially involved licensed single- and double-barrel firearms before allegedly escalating, with claims of sophisticated weapons being used from the Senapati side.
The escalation reportedly forced residents of Taphou Kuki Village to retreat. At least four more houses were subsequently allegedly torched in the village.
A CRPF personnel also sustained a bullet injury to his foot during the reported exchange of fire and was taken for medical treatment.
The Taphou Kuki Village Authority strongly condemned the burning of the residential house, describing the incident as unacceptable and a serious violation of the rights and dignity of civilians.
The authority said the destruction of civilian homes causes not only loss of property and livelihood but also creates fear, insecurity and emotional trauma among affected families.
It appealed to all individuals and groups to immediately refrain from violence, arson and destruction of property and urged the parties involved to resolve their grievances through peaceful dialogue and lawful means.
The village authority also called upon the district administration, police and other competent authorities to investigate the incidents, identify those responsible and ensure that action is taken according to law.
At the same time, the authority appealed to all communities to exercise restraint and work towards restoring peace, trust and peaceful coexistence in the border area.
Following the violence, a shutdown was imposed at Senapati district headquarters. Security forces have also been deployed across the sensitive border belt and remain on alert to prevent further escalation.
The latest violence has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in the Kangpokpi-Senapati region, where tensions between communities have remained high.