Imphal | Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Friday morning after suspected militants allegedly opened fire on villagers working in a paddy field at Langka Naga village along the Kangpokpi-Tamenglong border belt, leaving one person dead and three others critically injured.

The deceased was identified as 34-year-old Wiriliangbou Chawang, who sustained gunshot wounds and died at the spot. The three injured were identified as Kawidinang Abonmai, 55, Maliangjininang Abonmai, 52, and Namthiulungbou Primai, 50.

According to a senior police officer, a group of armed men carrying sophisticated weapons allegedly attacked the village at around 8 am. “W Chawang died on the spot after sustaining gunshot injuries to his head. Three other villagers were injured in the attack,” the officer said.

Local residents said the victims were working in a paddy field when the firing began. They also claimed that an armed group from the Naga village retaliated by firing at the suspected attackers. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the identities of those involved had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.

The injured villagers were reported to have sustained serious wounds and may be shifted to Imphal for advanced medical treatment, depending on their condition. Security forces reportedly rushed to the area following the incident and launched efforts to assess the situation. No detailed official statement was available immediately.

Langka Naga village, located along the Imphal-Tamei Road in the sensitive Kangpokpi-Tamenglong border belt, has witnessed armed confrontations during the prolonged unrest in Manipur and remains vulnerable to fresh flare-ups. The latest incident has renewed security concerns in Kangpokpi, where sporadic violence has continued despite efforts by the administration to restore normalcy.

The incident came two days after fresh violence was reported from the Champhai area of Kangpokpi, where around 10 houses and a church were allegedly set on fire during the night, triggering renewed tension. The Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), Manipur, condemned the latest attack and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible, a time-bound investigation and enhanced security in the affected area.

The renewed violence also comes days after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Kangpokpi on August 8. During the visit, he announced steps to facilitate free movement of people from all communities along national highways and the resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur bus service as part of efforts to rebuild confidence and restore normalcy.

The latest attack, however, underscores the continuing security challenges in the district and the fragile nature of the peace process in the conflict-affected areas of Manipur.