SENAPATI: A CRPF personnel was injured and at least two houses were reportedly set ablaze during a fresh outbreak of violence in Taphou area of Manipur’s Senapati district on Monday, August 24, triggering tension between Naga and Kuki communities.
According to officials, Sub-Inspector (General Duty) Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion, CRPF, sustained a bullet injury to his left foot during an exchange of fire between armed groups at around 10 am. He was evacuated to Senapati Hospital for treatment.
The firing reportedly followed the burning of two houses belonging to members of different communities by unidentified miscreants. Police sources said one house belonged to a Kuki resident, while the other belonged to a member of the Poumai Naga community.
The circumstances leading to the arson and subsequent exchange of fire remained unclear, and there was no official confirmation on the identities of those responsible.
Additional security personnel were deployed in Taphou to contain the situation and prevent further escalation. Several residents reportedly began leaving the area amid fears of renewed violence.
Locals also alleged that armed Kuki groups were attacking a Liangmai Naga village, although the allegation could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, protesters reportedly blocked National Highway-2 near Senapati headquarters. Visuals from the area showed burning tyres and debris placed on the highway.
The Taphou Kuki Village Authority condemned the burning of the Kuki-owned house as “highly deplorable, inhuman and unacceptable” and urged the district administration and police to identify those responsible and initiate legal action. It also issued a 24-hour deadline for those involved to come forward and resolve the matter according to Kuki customary law.
The latest incident came amid heightened tensions between Naga and Kuki communities following a series of violent incidents in the region.
On May 13, twin ambushes by unidentified armed men at two locations in Noney and Kangpokpi districts left four people dead, including three church leaders and a Naga man. The attacks were followed by retaliatory violence, during which 48 civilians from the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities were reportedly held captive by opposing groups.
The hostages were released nearly a month later, after which six Naga men were found dead near Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district.
The National Investigation Agency is probing the case, with four people, including a couple, arrested in July in two separate operations.
Security forces continued to remain deployed in and around Taphou as authorities worked to restore normalcy and prevent further violence.
