Imphal: Fresh tension was reported in Manipur’s Senapati district early Monday after unidentified armed persons allegedly set fire to two houses in a sensitive boundary area.
According to local sources and preliminary police inputs, the attackers entered a settlement in the early hours and allegedly torched two residential structures belonging to members of the Kuki and Paomai Naga communities.
The houses are located in a village cluster between Laingmai Naga Taphou and Kuki Taphou, near the 9 Manipur Rifles battalion headquarters. Fire tenders and security personnel reached the area soon after the incident, but the structures sustained extensive damage.
No casualties or serious injuries were reported immediately following the arson. However, the incident led to heightened tension in the area, with reports of stone-pelting between rival groups and sporadic gunfire.
The security response was subsequently intensified, with Assam Rifles personnel, state police commandos, and other security forces deployed to the area to prevent further violence.
Amid fears of retaliatory attacks, some families and residents reportedly left their homes carrying essential belongings and moved towards Taphou Kuki for safety.
Security personnel have been deployed at key access points, while authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance along the inter-community boundary areas.
The district administration, civil society organisations and community leaders have appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid any retaliatory action that could further escalate tensions.
Security forces are conducting area-domination patrols and flag marches in Senapati and surrounding areas. Officials are also monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for families who may have been displaced by the violence.