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Fresh Arson Attacks Deepen Violence Along Manipur Road
Several villages in Manipur have faced attacks and fires.
On September 2, at least 25 houses were burned in Kangpokpi district.
Five of those homes belonged to Nepali families.
The day before, at least 10 houses were burned in three nearby villages.
A church pastor was shot and several vehicles were damaged.
Another attack on Monday killed three people and injured four others.
Some villagers were moved to a safer place about 15 kilometers away.
Residents say the attacks may be intended to force communities from their land, but the reported motive has not been independently established.
At least 25 houses were set ablaze in Kangpokpi district on September 2.
Five of the targeted homes in Tiropam village belonged to the Nepali community.
The attack followed the burning of at least 10 houses in three nearby Liangmai Naga villages.
A pastor was shot and injured, while vehicles and equipment were damaged in the earlier violence.
The attacks followed a deadly assault in Teikhang Kuki village that killed three people and injured four.
- Who
- Residents of Kuki, Naga and Nepali communities were affected; attackers were described as miscreants.
- What
- At least 25 houses were burned, following earlier arson, shootings, deaths and property damage.
- Where
- The incidents occurred in Kangpokpi district and villages along or near the Imphal-Tamenglong road in Manipur.
- When
- The latest attack occurred on September 2, after attacks on the preceding Monday and Tuesday.
- Why
- Residents alleged the attacks were intended to drive communities away and seize ancestral land; officials reported the incidents but did not establish a motive.
Residents' allegations
Officials' reported account
Purpose of the attacks
Residents' allegations
Residents alleged the attacks were targeted to force Kuki, Naga and Nepali communities to leave and to take control of their ancestral land.
Officials' reported account
Officials confirmed the attacks, casualties and property damage but did not establish or publicly attribute a motive in the report.
Description of the attackers
Residents' allegations
Residents described armed miscreants setting homes on fire and shooting at people attempting to return to Tiropam.
Officials' reported account
Police said attackers allegedly carried guns and fired randomly after setting fire to houses in three Liangmai Naga villages.
Key facts
- Latest reported arson
- At least 25 houses were set ablaze in Kangpokpi district.
- Nepali homes targeted
- Five of the burned houses in Tiropam village belonged to the Nepali community.
- Earlier arson
- At least 10 houses were burned in Tapon Khullen, Tapon Khunou and Makui Tiporam.
- Reported casualty
- N Luithuibou, identified as a village church pastor, sustained a gunshot injury.
- Earlier deadly attack
- Three people, including two women, were killed and four were injured in Teikhang Kuki village.
- Property damage
- An excavator, Gypsy, pickup truck and truck were damaged.
- Evacuation distance
- Tiropam villagers were reportedly evacuated to Makui, about 15 kilometers away.
Quotes
An anonymous Tiropam resident
A resident who described the September 2 arson attack in Tiropam village on condition of anonymity
“Today 25 houses were set ablaze, and they subsequently left the area. Among the 25 houses, 5 belonged to the Nepali community”
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