Imphal: Fresh violence broke out on Sunday evening at Thingkhongjang village in K. Geljang subdivision of Kangpokpi district, Manipur, when suspected armed assailants opened fire and several houses were reportedly set on fire, injuring two people, one of them an eight‑year‑old girl.
The injured were identified as 56‑year‑old Nengneichong Kipgen and eight‑year‑old Lamneingah Kipgen, both villagers, as reported by The Assam Tribune. They sustained bullet wounds to their left thighs and were initially taken to the 9 Sector Hospital by the Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations), Kangpokpi, for emergency treatment, officials said.
Shots Fired, Homes Torched
Local reports said the attack occurred at about 5.10 pm when unknown gunmen allegedly began firing at the settlement wounding two residents and setting several houses ablaze, sparking panic among villagers.
Around 9 pm, both injured persons were referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, for specialist care. Hospital sources said the injured are in stable condition.
Kuki Inpi Blames NSCN (IM) Faction
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KI
M) denounced the attack as a “barbaric and cowardly attack” on peaceful villagers. In a media‑cell statement, the group blamed armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) and an alleged proxy, ZUF‑Kamson, saying they carried out the assault and deliberately set civilian homes on fire, with women and children among those targeted.
KIM also criticised the security arrangements in the area, noting the incident happened despite the nearby presence of the 86 Battalion’s F Company. The organisation called it a major security lapse and said it was difficult to understand how “heavily armed militants could allegedly enter the village, carry out the attack and leave without effective intervention by security forces.”
Demand For Probe & Accountability
Recalling assurances from the Kangpokpi Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police that village safety would be ensured, KIM said there had been an understanding with the Manipur government that the district police — not Kuki‑Zo volunteers — would protect settlements. The group demanded an independent, transparent and time‑bound judicial inquiry.
“The Kuki Inpi Manipur unequivocally demands immediate accountability from all officers whose negligence or failure of command contributed to this incident, pending the completion of an independent judicial inquiry. The people deserve a transparent, impartial, and time‑bound investigation capable of establishing the full facts, identifying every individual responsible for operational failures, and ensuring that appropriate legal and disciplinary action follows without delay,” the statement said.
No Official Response Yet
There was no immediate comment from Manipur Police, security forces or the organisations named by KIM. The claims could not be independently verified.