Taphou village in Manipur’s Senapati district witnessed fresh violence on Monday, August 24, after houses were allegedly set ablaze by armed miscreants, triggering tension in the area. Multiple homes were reportedly burnt or damaged in and around Taphou, while a CRPF constable was injured in subsequent firing. Security forces were deployed to prevent further escalation.
Taphou village hit by fresh arson
The first reported fire incident took place at around 2:40 am at Taphou Kuki, according to local reports. A fire brigade reached the area around 3:30 am. However, further incidents were reported after 4 am in nearby areas, including 9MR and Mareimei.
Reports said houses belonging to Naga residents were targeted during the fresh violence. One house at Taphou Kuki was reportedly burnt, while another house belonging to a resident of Lai village was allegedly demolished. A third house belonging to a resident of Phuba village was also reportedly set ablaze.
The incidents have raised concerns because the affected settlements are located close to each other in a sensitive area where tensions between Naga and Kuki communities have remained high.
CRPF personnel injured in firing
The situation around Taphou village deteriorated further at about 9:20 am when firing broke out between two groups. A 54-year-old constable of the 36th CRPF Battalion sustained a suspected firearm injury while deployed at Liangmai Taphou.
The injured personnel was taken to Senapati District Hospital for treatment. Another report quoting a senior police officer said the CRPF personnel was out of danger after being admitted to the hospital.
The circumstances surrounding the firing remain under investigation. Authorities have not established who opened fire or whether the shooting was directly connected to the earlier arson incidents.
No civilian casualties had been reported in the latest available updates, although officials were still assessing the extent of damage and the overall security situation.
Security tightened as tension rises
Security forces have been deployed in and around Taphou village following the incidents. Authorities are working to contain the situation and prevent the violence from spreading to neighbouring settlements.
The arson also triggered protests in Senapati. Locals reportedly gathered at Senapati Gate and burnt logs and tyres on National Highway 2, affecting the movement of vehicles along the important road. The road disruption added to concerns over normal movement in the violence-affected area.
The latest violence comes after several incidents in the wider Senapati region in recent weeks. Earlier this month, unidentified armed individuals reportedly set fire to several abandoned houses in Kailenjang village, around five kilometres west of Senapati Police Station. Police said those responsible had not been identified at the time.
Village authority demands action
The Taphou Kuki Village Authority strongly condemned the burning of a residential property and described the incident as unacceptable. It called on the district administration, police and other authorities to investigate the matter, identify those responsible and take action under the law.
The village authority also appealed to communities to avoid violence, arson and destruction of property. It urged all sides to address differences through peaceful dialogue and lawful means.
The authority has given those allegedly responsible a 24-hour deadline to come forward and resolve the matter under Kuki customary law. It also warned that it would not be responsible for any untoward incident if the issue remained unresolved after the deadline.
Wider concerns over Naga-Kuki tensions
The developments in Taphou village come against the backdrop of renewed Naga-Kuki tensions in Manipur. The situation has been particularly sensitive since a series of violent incidents and abductions involving members of both communities earlier this year.
In June, 14 Kuki individuals who had been abducted in Senapati were released following efforts by the United Naga Council and Senapati-based civil society groups. The development was welcomed by Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, who appealed for an end to violence.
The latest arson incidents underline the fragile security environment in the hill districts. For residents, the immediate priority remains protection of homes, safe movement and prevention of further attacks.
Authorities now face the task of identifying those behind the arson and firing while maintaining security and preventing retaliatory violence. With tension still prevailing around Taphou village, local communities and security agencies are being urged to exercise restraint as investigations continue.
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