IMPHAL | Several Naga villages along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district were reportedly attacked and houses set ablaze by armed groups on Tuesday morning, with sustained firing reported in the area from around 4 am, according to local sources.

Tapon Khunou and Tapon Kullen were among the villages reportedly targeted in the attacks. Pipuram, a Liangmai Naga village located about eight kilometres from Makui, was also allegedly set on fire, sources said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Makui Village Authority condemned the reported attack on Pipuram and described it as an “inhuman act”. In a statement, it alleged that armed Kuki militants attacked the village around 4 am, opened fire and subsequently set houses and other properties ablaze.

According to the village authority, several households were destroyed in the attack, while food grains and other belongings were also lost. The authority further alleged that the armed group later attacked Makui Naga village and continued firing towards the settlement. It claimed that the attackers attempted to set houses on fire and cause casualties.

The latest incident comes days after four villagers from Makui were reportedly killed in an ambush between Makui Ashang and Thanamba villages on August 27. The Makui Village Authority alleged that Tuesday’s attack was part of a continuing pattern of violence targeting Liangmai Naga settlements along the IT Road.

It further alleged that the attacks were intended to force Liangmai Naga residents to leave the area and facilitate attempts to take control of their ancestral land.

The allegations could not be independently verified immediately.

Security forces are expected to assess the situation and the extent of damage in the affected villages. Further details regarding casualties, displacement and property damage were awaited.