Imphal: More than 25 houses, including those belonging to Naga and Nepali families, were reportedly burnt during an armed attack on Pipuram village on Wednesday, according to multiple sources from Pipuram and neighbouring Thebram village.
The attack was reported in the morning after Pipuram youth received information that armed Kuki militants were moving towards the village.
According to local sources, village volunteers had prepared to defend their ancestral homes with licensed single-barrel firearms. The alleged Kuki militants were reportedly heavily armed with assault rifles and other automatic weapons and used multiple drones during the attack. Sources also alleged that grenades and other explosives were carried by the attackers.
Villagers from neighbouring Thebram Naga village reportedly joined Pipuram volunteers in resisting the attackers. The resistance eventually forced the armed group to withdraw from the area, according to the sources.
However, several houses had already been set ablaze. More than 25 homes, including the residence of the village pastor, were reportedly destroyed or damaged by fire. Church materials stored inside the pastor's house were also destroyed in the blaze, according to the pastor and local sources.
After the attackers withdrew, Pipuram village volunteers reportedly managed to prevent the fire from spreading to another two or three houses.
Despite requests for security assistance on Tuesday, local sources said no security personnel had reached the village by Wednesday morning.
No casualties have been reported from the attack so far.
The situation has also left Pipuram largely cut off from outside communication. Local sources said electricity in the village has been disrupted and mobile communication towers are no longer functioning, making it difficult for residents to contact authorities or relatives outside the area.
The reported attack comes amid continuing tension and armed violence in parts of Manipur. The claims regarding the number and identity of the attackers, the use of drones and the extent of the damage could not independently be verified at the time of publication.
Comments