At least 25 houses were allegedly set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Tiporam village under Chalwa police station in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday, officials said, a day after 10 houses were reportedly torched in three neighbouring villages.
The latest incident has heightened tensions in the area, where violence broke out on Tuesday in three Liangmai Naga villages—Tapon Khullen, Tapon Khunou and Makui Tiporam.
According to officials, armed men allegedly attacked the villages, triggering gunfire. At least 10 houses were reportedly burnt during the clashes, while a village church pastor suffered bullet injuries.
A Tiporam resident, who requested anonymity, said five houses had been set on fire on Tuesday and armed men had warned that more houses would be targeted. The resident claimed that another 25 houses were burnt on Wednesday before the alleged attackers left the area.
Of the houses reportedly destroyed on Wednesday, five belonged to members of the Nepali community, the resident claimed.
Residents said villagers from Tiporam had previously been evacuated to Makui following the violence. They returned to Tiporam on Tuesday but allegedly came under gunfire and were forced to take shelter again at a relief centre in Makui. The two villages are around 15 km apart.
Residents also alleged that security personnel had been informed about the arson but no action was taken until Wednesday.
The latest incidents have further intensified tensions between communities in the region. Reports indicate that at least 17 people from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities have been killed in separate incidents since May 13.
Four Naga civilians were reportedly killed in an ambush in the area on August 27. In another incident on August 31, three Kuki civilians were allegedly killed in an attack along the Imphal-Tamenglong road in Kangpokpi and Tamenglong districts.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the series of attacks and retaliatory incidents.
