At least 15 houses belonging to the Kuki community were set on fire in Chassad village in Manipur’s Kamjong district late Saturday night, forcing numerous residents to flee their homes and seek shelter in nearby forest areas and an Army camp, officials said on Sunday.
The arson followed a gun attack earlier on Saturday that left one Kuki civilian dead and four others injured. The deceased was identified in media reports as 35-year-old Seikhohao Haokip, a resident of Chassad village. The injured included village representatives who were taken for medical treatment.
According to reports, suspected militants opened fire in Chassad at around 2:30 pm on Saturday, triggering an exchange of gunfire between the attackers and a local armed group. The violence continued into the evening, heightening fears among residents.
Later that night, suspected militants allegedly set at least 15 houses ablaze. The fires forced families to leave their homes, with some taking refuge in forested areas and others seeking shelter at a nearby Army camp.
Police said a joint security team comprising the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Kamjong Police was deployed to the affected area to help control the situation and protect civilians.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence, expressed grief over the death and concern for the injured and displaced families. She described the burning of houses as an intolerable crime and said she had directed the district administration, police and security forces to remain vigilant, protect lives and property, and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
In a separate incident at Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians were reportedly injured in a gun attack involving suspected rival armed groups. Details surrounding that incident remained limited.
The latest violence has renewed concerns about civilian safety in Manipur’s hill districts, where tensions and armed clashes have led to deaths, injuries, property damage and displacement. The identities of those responsible for the arson had not been independently established in the reports available at the time of publication.
Authorities face the immediate challenge of ensuring the safety of displaced residents, providing medical assistance to the injured and preventing further attacks.
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