Houses Set Ablaze in Manipur's Kangpokpi District; Naga Militant Group Claims Responsibility
In a disturbing incident in Manipur, suspected members of a Naga militant group targeted houses belonging to the Kuki-Zo community in the Kangpokpi district on Monday. The attack, which occurred at K Songlung-II village under the Kangchup police station, resulted in three houses and an SUV being set on fire, though fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Police confirmed the details, with a team led by DIG S P Kangpokpi swiftly rushing to the area to assess the situation and maintain order.
ZUF Claims Attack as Part of Anti-Poppy Campaign
A faction of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), an armed militant group, has claimed responsibility for the arson in an unsigned statement. The group, allegedly led by Kamson, who uses only one name, stated that it has "intensified its decisive campaign against illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking, and unlawful encroachment by illegal immigrants" within the ancestral territories of the Zeliangrong Inpui Naga people. According to the statement, enforcement action was carried out at 12:15 pm, targeting farmhouses and structures in the Waphong area of Songnung Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District.
Kuki-Zo Groups Deny Allegations and Issue Ultimatum
In response, Kuki-Zo civil bodies, including the Indigenous Tribal Leader's Forum (ITLF), Sadar Hills Chief Association (SAHILCA), and Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), have strongly condemned the attack. They assert that K Songlung-II village has never engaged in poppy cultivation and that the burned structures are permanent residential units, not mere farmhouses. The COTU, based in Kangpokpi, has issued a stern ultimatum to the Manipur government, demanding the arrest of those responsible within 24 hours.
If their demands are not met, the group threatens to impose a total shutdown of National Highway-2 and National Highway-37, the state's only two lifelines, from midnight January 27 to midnight January 28. The COTU has warned that it will not be held accountable for any consequences arising from the blockade, highlighting the escalating tensions in the region.
Social Media Videos and Broader Context
Several videos of the incident have surfaced on social media platforms, purportedly showing burning houses in a hilly area, adding to the public outcry. This event follows a reported gunfight earlier this month between the Naga outfit and an armed Kuki militant group over the poppy issue, underscoring the deep-seated ethnic faultlines in Manipur, particularly the Kuki-Meitei divide and recent unrest.
The situation remains volatile, with authorities on high alert to prevent further violence and address the grievances of both communities involved.
