The Taphou Kuki Village Authority has rejected allegations made by the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati, over recent arson incidents in the Taphou area, saying the actions of a few individuals should not create hostility between neighbouring communities.
In a rejoinder to the NPO’s August 24 press release, the authority said Taphou Kuki had no intention of provoking or targeting any community and had consistently supported peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and harmonious relations with its neighbours.
The authority alleged that residential properties were destroyed in an arson incident in the early hours of August 24. It further claimed that heavily armed assailants attacked the village later that morning, setting two more houses on fire and damaging other properties, livestock and personal belongings.
It also alleged that an attempt was made on August 26 to set fire to an RCC building belonging to Taphou Kuki near the NPF office at Liangmei Taphou. Timely intervention by Senapati Police and CRPF personnel prevented major damage, the authority said.
Condemning the alleged arson and firing incidents, the village authority called for a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation to identify those responsible and initiate legal action. It also urged authorities to strengthen preventive measures to prevent further violence, stressing that individual misconduct should not be allowed to damage longstanding relations between neighbouring communities.
