5 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi; Kuki body demands probe

Five kutcha houses were gutted in suspected militant arson at Kuki-Zo village Kharam Vaiphei in Manipur’s Kangpokpi. Police said no casualties occurred. KIM condemned the attack, demanding probe. Clashes between Naga, Kuki-Zo tribes continue amid ongoing ethnic violence

Imphal: Five kutcha houses were gutted in arson by suspected militants in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, police said on Sunday. The incident took place at Kharam Vaiphei, a Kuki-Zo village, on Saturday. No injuries were reported.

“Armed miscreants resorted to firing and arson at the village, but security forces brought the situation under control. No casualties were reported,” a police officer said. Locals claimed that armed persons from another tribal community attacked the village and set fire to the houses.

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Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, condemned the incident and called upon authorities to conduct a fair investigation, identify those responsible and take appropriate action.
The organisation also called for measures to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of civilians.

Police also dismissed “statements circulated on social media”, which allegedly targeted the district SP.
Police said the allegations against the officer were “baseless,” “grossly false” and “do not arise from the facts of the incident”.

It also warned of legal action against those spreading disinformation through posts or statements.
Clashes have been reported between armed persons of Naga and Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur since February this year. Over 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis since May 2023.