Imphal: Fresh violence was reported in Manipur’s Senapati district on Monday, with houses burnt and damaged at Taphou and a CRPF constable injured in firing. The incidents have cast a shadow over the state govt’s renewed efforts to restore uninterrupted movement along National Highway-2.Manipur govt recently announced the reopening of NH-2, which passes through Kuki-majority Kangpokpi and Naga-dominated Senapati. It also announced the resumption of passenger services between Imphal and Dimapur, and Imphal and Guwahati.According to sources, the violence began at around 2.40am when a residential house at Taphou Kuki in Senapati was set on fire by unidentified persons.Further incidents of vandalism and arson were reported in adjoining areas after 4am, with houses belonging to Naga residents reportedly targeted.A house was destroyed and another was burnt at Liangmai Taphou, a Naga settlement, in suspected retaliation for the burning of the house at Taphou Kuki, sources said.The situation escalated at around 9.20am when firing was reported between unidentified armed individuals.A 54-year-old constable of the 36th CRPF unit sustained a firearm injury while deployed at Liangmai Taphou. He was taken to the district hospital, Senapati, where he is undergoing treatment.The Taphou Kuki village authority condemned the burning and destruction of the residential house, describing the act as “highly deplorable, inhuman and unacceptable under any circumstances”.In a statement, the village authority appealed to all concerned individuals and groups to refrain from violence, arson, destruction of property and any actions that could further escalate tensions and suffering among the people.“Differences and grievances must be addressed through peaceful dialogue and lawful means rather than through violence,” it said.The village authority also urged the district administration, police and other competent authorities to take immediate and appropriate action to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that justice was delivered in accordance with the law.It issued a 24-hour deadline to those involved in the burning of the house to claim responsibility and resolve the matter according to Kuki customary law.The latest violence came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Naga and Kuki groups in the Senapati-Kangpokpi belt, particularly over movement and security along NH-2.The state govt’s recent initiative to reopen the highways and restore public transport has been seen as an important step towards reconnecting Imphal with the rest of the country.NH-2 has remained a contentious issue since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, with blockades and restrictions affecting the movement of essential commodities and people.Meanwhile, the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati, said Naga people in the district were deeply concerned and surprised by the repeated incidents involving Taphou Kuki village.In a statement, the NPO said a residential building belonging to a Poumai Naga was set on fire and that an abandoned building in Taphou Kuki village was also set on fire by unidentified persons.“While the buildings were still burning, the fire brigade, whose sole purpose was to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage, was obstructed by the Taphou Kuki villagers,” the NPO alleged. It questioned why the villagers would obstruct fire brigade personnel if they had no involvement in the incident.The NPO urged law-enforcement agencies to closely monitor the situation, investigate each incident objectively, establish the facts, identify those responsible and book them in accordance with the law.
