Suspected militant arson destroys family home in Manipur

Imphal: Armed men torched a residence in Leimakhong Chingmang on October 4. The fire broke out at 10:10 pm at the home of Simon Chawang, also known as Stephen Chawang, a native of Konsakhul. The blaze reduced the building and all its contents to ash. Property losses reached 10 lakh. Security forces were spotted nearby while smoke filled the night sky.

The Konsakhul Village Authority condemned the attack as a deliberate strike against the Naga community. The group identified the Kuki National Front-Progressive and the Kuki Revolutionary Army as the attackers. Both outfits operate under the tripartite Suspension of Operations agreement. This pact should prevent them from harming civilians or private property.

The village authority labeled the destruction deeply disturbing. "The Konsakhul (Kon-saram) Village Authority condemned the incident, describing it as a deliberate attack on a member of the Naga community." Officials demanded the Central Government restrain these armed groups. Both the state and central authorities must launch an impartial investigation to bring the culprits to justice.