Imphal: The tranquility of Kailenjang, a small community of seven to eight households located roughly 5 km west of the Senapati Police Station along the inter-district border with Kangpokpi to the south, was disrupted at approximately 1:30 pm on Monday.
According to local accounts, a group of armed individuals entered the settlement and torched three homes belonging to members of the Kuki community. No casualties were reported in the arson, but the incident triggered panic and forced vulnerable displaced families to reassess their security.
Following the fire and reports of distant gunfire from terrified neighbours, heavily armed Assam Rifles personnel rushed to the scene to secure the area.
Fearing further escalation, several residents fled towards Taphou Kuki seeking temporary shelter. Local authorities and security personnel are closely monitoring the volatile border area.
Kailenjang’s small community had previously been displaced during the 1992 Naga-Kuki ethnic clashes. After returning to rebuild their lives following local peace efforts, residents have once again been caught amid tensions in the region.
In a separate incident, an accidental fire tore through Ward No. 8 of Kangpokpi on Saturday, August 8, at around 7:45 pm, destroying a family home and three adjoining rental units. The fire completely destroyed the home of 75-year-old part-time carpenter Thangjangam Haokip. The estimated loss of property, including the structures and important land documents, stands at Rs 1,34,94,500.
Along with the Haokip family, three tenant families, Nengneichong Touthang, 25, of Simol village, and Lhingneilhai Haokip, 30, and Jenneth Haokip, 23, of Joupi village, lost their belongings in the fire.
When the fire broke out, Haokip’s 13-year-old grandson and 12-year-old granddaughter were trapped inside while their parents were away. Local youths and residents rushed into the burning structure and rescued the children shortly before the roof collapsed.
A preliminary site investigation by local authorities indicated that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire, although a detailed technical assessment is still pending.
Authorities are coordinating relief for the displaced tenant families and the Haokip family following the extensive property damage over the weekend.