Imphal: Two houses were burnt and several others damaged in an overnight attack on Chawangkining Naga village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, according to the village authority and the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M).
The Chawangkining Village Authority (VA) said the firing began around 10.30 p.m. on September 15 and continued till about 4.50 a.m. on September 16. No casualties were reported.
The VA alleged that Kuki armed groups operating from the directions of Kholen Kuki village, Sejang Kuki village and West Haipi were behind the attack. It expressed concern that the firing took place despite the deployment of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the vicinity.
The village authority also questioned the delay in the arrival of additional security forces, saying state reinforcements reached the village only around 4.50 a.m. It said residents were exposed to nearly six hours of firing.
Chawangkining Naga village is located about 14 km from the Kangpokpi district headquarters.
The VA has sought a comprehensive investigation into the incident, stronger security arrangements in the area, an official assessment of the damage and immediate relief and financial assistance for the affected families.
The LNC-M, in a separate statement, alleged that Kuki militants operating from the Songtung Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp were responsible for the firing. It said several civilian houses were damaged and that distress calls from villagers did not receive timely intervention from the Kangpokpi district police.
The council sought legal action against those responsible and called for measures against the Songtung SoO camp, alleging that the firing originated from its perimeter.
No insurgent group had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of filing this report.