On Wednesday, at least 25 houses were set on fire in Kangpokpi district, Manipur. This incident occurred just a day after armed individuals reportedly torched 10 houses and injured a villager along the Imphal-Tamenglong road, according to police reports. The escalating violence has raised concerns among local residents and authorities.
The fresh arson was reported in Tiporam village, where residents said five of the houses belonged to members of the Nepali community. Locals identified the injured man as a church pastor. The residents alleged that although information about houses being set on fire was conveyed to security forces, no action was taken till Wednesday. However, the allegations could not be independently verified. Security forces and authorities are yet to comment on the allegations. The ethnic clashes in Manipur first began between the Meitei and Kuki communities before involving almost every community.
“Today 25 houses were set ablaze and they subsequently left the area. Among the 25 houses 5 belonged to Nepali community,” a resident of Tiporam, requesting anonymity, said. At least 10 houses were set ablaze, while an excavator, a Gypsy, a pickup truck and a truck were found to be damaged during the arson on Tuesday, according to police. The police identified the injured person as N Luithuibou, a 49-year-old man who sustained bullet injuries to his right abdomen and hand. The state’s Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities shut each other out from the areas they dominate since ethnic clashes began in May 2023, leaving at least 260 people dead and displacing 60,000.
