KANGPOKPI: The Taphou Kuki Village Authority has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to those responsible for burning a residential house in the village to come forward, claim responsibility and resolve the matter under Kuki customary law following fresh violence along the Kangpokpi-Senapati border.
A pucca house belonging to Paojalun Chongloi was allegedly set ablaze at around 2.30 am on Monday at Taphou Kuki Village, completely destroying the residence, belongings and important documents. The family escaped unharmed.
A suspected retaliatory attack was later reported at nearby Liangmei Taphou Village, where an allegedly unoccupied kutcha house was torched.
The incidents reportedly triggered an armed confrontation involving villagers from neighbouring areas. Local sources said the exchange initially involved licensed single- and double-barrel firearms before allegedly escalating, with sophisticated weapons reportedly used from the Senapati side.
The escalation allegedly forced Taphou Kuki villagers to retreat, after which at least four more houses were reportedly torched. A CRPF jawan also sustained a bullet injury to his foot, according to local sources.
The Village Authority condemned the burning of the houses as “highly deplorable, inhuman and unacceptable” and called for an immediate end to violence and arson. It urged authorities to investigate the incidents, identify those responsible and ensure justice.
The Authority called on those involved in the burning to come forward within 24 hours and resolve the matter under Kuki customary law, warning that failure to do so could lead to an “untoward incident”.
A shutdown was imposed at Senapati district headquarters following the incidents, while security forces were deployed in the sensitive border area amid concerns over further escalation.
