Imphal: An armed clash between Kuki militants and Naga village volunteers erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday morning, resulting in reported casualties. The violence began at approximately 8:40 AM when kuki militants, allegedly belonging to KNF(P) and KNF(N) launched an attack on Langka Naga Village, also known as Taniuluang village.
The Langka Village Authority condemned the assault and alleged that cadres from the Kuki National Front (Progressive) were responsible. The group holds a Suspension of Operations agreement with both the state and central governments. The village authority claims that militants are operating from a nearby camp linked to the KNF (Nehlun) faction, which is reportedly under the command of KNF(P) Home Secretary Jangboi Kipigen.
According to ground reports from NEWire.in, close to 100 armed men descended on the village with sophisticated weapons, turning a rural settlement into a war zone for nearly four hours.
By the time the dust began to settle, one Kuki militant was dead. Two others were wounded. But the village paid a heavier price.
Two paddy huts, the kind farmers build to watch over their crops during planting season were torched and burned to ash. A dog and a buffalo, both belonging to villagers, were killed. For a community that lives off the land and counts every harvest, the loss cuts deeper than the bullet holes in the walls.
Video clip captured by the villagers of Langka Naga Village, where a village dog was reportedly shot and killed by the Kuki militants
Video clip captured by the villagers of Langka Naga Village, where a buffallo belonging one of the villagers of Lungka was reportedly shot and killed by the Kuki militants
Residents reported that the attackers utilized heavy weapons and explosives during the incident, sparking fears of further instability along the Imphal-Tamenglong Road corridor. Tensions in the region remain high following the recent deaths of six individuals. The Langka Village Authority issued a statement calling on authorities to ensure justice, stating, "The village authority urged the state government to conduct a thorough, impartial and time-bound investigation into the incident and identify those responsible."
Local officials have requested immediate action against militant presence in the villages of Lasan, Songpibung, Baleijang, Haimol, and Laloi. Stakeholders have been urged to exercise restraint and prioritize the rule of law to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
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