7 months ago
Militants torch farmhouses in Manipur's Kangpokpi
A group called the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) set fire to some farmhouses and farms in a village in Manipur, India.
They said they did this because they believe people were growing illegal poppy plants and doing other bad things in the area.
The ZUF claims this land belongs to their people.
Some other people, like the Kuki community, say that the ZUF is wrong and that there are no illegal poppy farms in the area.
The police and soldiers went to the area to check what happened.
The Kuki community is very upset and has asked the government to catch the people who did this.
If the government doesn't, they might close some important roads.
This happened while the rest of the country was celebrating a national holiday.
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) claimed responsibility for torching farmhouses and farms in K. Songlung village, Manipur.
The ZUF stated the action was against illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking, and alleged land encroachment by illegal immigrants.
The incident occurred around 12:15 PM on Monday, January 26, with security forces, including the Assam Rifles, responding to the area.
Congress Kuki leader Lamtinthang Haokip alleged that suspected militants from the ZUF (Kamson faction) and NSCN (IM) were responsible for burning down a Kuki village.
The Kuki community demanded the state government apprehend the perpetrators within 24 hours, threatening a highway shutdown if their demand was not met.
- Who
- Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and allegedly ZUF (Kamson faction) with NSCN (IM)
- What
- Torching of farmhouses and farms in K. Songlung village
- Where
- K. Songlung village, Kangpokpi district, Manipur
- When
- Around 12:15 PM on Monday, January 26
- Why
- Alleged illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking, and land encroachment by illegal immigrants
Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)
Kuki Community
Reason for the attack
Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)
The ZUF claims the action was against illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking, and land encroachment by illegal immigrants in their ancestral territory.
Kuki Community
The Kuki community denies the presence of illegal poppy farms in the area and alleges that the ZUF is targeting their villages.
Responsibility for the attack
Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)
The ZUF has claimed full responsibility for the attack.
Kuki Community
Congress Kuki leader Lamtinthang Haokip alleges that the ZUF (Kamson faction) and NSCN (IM) were responsible for burning down a Kuki village.
Key facts
- Location
- K. Songlung village, Kangpokpi district, Manipur
- Time of Incident
- Around 12:15 PM on Monday, January 26
- Group Claiming Responsibility
- Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)
- Reason for Attack
- Alleged illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking, and land encroachment
- Security Response
- Assam Rifles personnel rushed to the area
- Allegations by Congress Kuki Leader
- Suspected militants from ZUF (Kamson faction) and NSCN (IM) burned down a Kuki village
- Kuki Community Response
- Demanded state government apprehend perpetrators within 24 hours, threatened highway shutdown
- ZUF's Stance
- Claims to be fighting for the rights and land of the Zeliangrong Naga people
Timeline
Illegal poppy suspicions sparked in Manipur's Kongpokpi after 470 acres destroyed.
Then, Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) torched farms, accusing illicit poppy cultivation.
ZUF's arson attack followed suspected illegal poppy farming in Kongpokpi.
Farms and houses ablaze in Kongpokpi, ZUF cites suspected poppy cultivation.
Manipur's Kongpokpi village hit by ZUF arson, illicit poppy farming suspected.
Quotes
Zeliangrong United Front
A militant outfit active in Manipur’s Tamenglong, Noney, and Kangpokpi districts, claiming to fight for the rights and land of the Zeliangrong Naga people
“intensified its decisive campaign against illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking and encroachment by illegal immigrants within the ancestral, customary and historical territory of the Zeliangrong Inpui Naga people”
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“repeated public alerts and sufficient time for peaceful compliance”
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Lamtinthang Haokip
A leader of the Congress Kuki party
“the tribal Kuki village, K Songlung, under Kangpokpi District has been turned into ashes by [Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson faction) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah faction)]”
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“The failure of the BJP government in stopping the ethnic violence since May 3, 2023 has further the consequences. A sinister design of the current dispensation.”
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Sources
Manipur violence as militant group torches Kuki village over poppy claims - Telegraph India
Suspected militants torch houses, farmhouses in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district
Houses set on fire in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district; Naga group claims responsibility, Kuki-Zo outfit threatens blockade
Video: Naga Insurgents Claim To Burn Poppy Farms, Kukis Allege Attack In Manipur's Kangpokpi
Militant body claims role after farmhouses torched in Manipur's Kongpokpi
