Manipur Tensions Rise Again: Naga Village Comes Under Night Attack, Houses Burnt

Fresh violence erupted in Manipur after suspected militants attacked Chawangkining Naga village in Kangpokpi district, triggering nearly six hours of intermittent firing with CRPF personnel and leaving at least two houses burnt.

The attack began around 10.30 pm on Tuesday and continued until about 4.30 am on Wednesday, officials said. A large group of suspected militants, reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire on the hill village. CRPF personnel deployed nearby retaliated and prevented the attackers from entering the settlement.

Two wooden houses on the outskirts of the village were nevertheless burnt during the attack. A villager, Daniel Charenamai, said the firing continued for several hours and that security personnel stationed in the village managed to prevent the settlement from being overrun.

The incident came only hours after two Kuki women were shot dead at Leisangphai in neighbouring Tamenglong district, raising fears of further retaliatory violence in the region. One of the victims was a recent nursing graduate.

The Chawangkining Village Authority and Liangmai Naga Council have alleged that armed Kuki groups were behind the attack and have raised questions about the response time of additional security forces. However, these allegations have not been independently established, and no insurgent group had claimed responsibility at the time of reporting.

Naga Peoples’ Front legislator Awangbou Newmai condemned both the killings and the burning of houses, saying violence against civilians would not benefit any community.

A Kuki MLA from Saikul constituency also condemned the killing of the two women and alleged the involvement of cadres linked to NSCN-IM and ZUF-K. She said the killing of innocent civilians could not be justified by any political cause or grievance.

The latest incidents come amid continuing tensions in Manipur, where attacks on civilians and clashes involving armed groups have repeatedly threatened fragile security in vulnerable settlements.

The fresh violence has also renewed concerns over whether isolated villages have adequate security protection and whether competing allegations could trigger another cycle of attacks and retaliation.