Several houses were torched in Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district amid a Kuki-Zo protest, prompting demands for an independent probe and accountability.
Kangpokpi, May 31: Several houses were set ablaze in Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on Saturday afternoon in an attack that has triggered anger and concern among Kuki-Zo organisations, which have questioned the effectiveness of security deployment in the area and demanded an independent investigation into the incident.
The attack occurred even as thousands of Kuki-Zo people were participating in a nationwide democratic rally called by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) to demand justice for three slain church leaders and the release of 14 Kuki-Zo hostages allegedly held by armed groups.
According to local sources, armed assailants suspected to be members of the ZUF-Kamson group launched the attack on Kharam Vaiphei village at around 2:15 pm. The village, located in the Leimakhong belt near the Army Headquarters, reportedly came under bomb and gunfire attack before several houses were set on fire.
Sources said at least five residential houses were reduced to ashes during the assault. No casualties were immediately reported, although residents described the incident as traumatic and said families were forced to flee to safety as the attack unfolded.
Villagers alleged that personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and other security forces stationed in the area were present when the attack took place but did not take retaliatory action against the attackers.
The allegations have led to questions regarding the security arrangements in the area, particularly because Kharam Vaiphei is located in a sensitive zone that has witnessed repeated tensions over the past two years.
According to sources, security personnel later recovered at least three shell casings believed to be from locally fabricated explosive devices used during the attack. Official confirmation regarding the recovery and the identity of the attackers was awaited at the time of filing this report.
Residents further claimed that the incident took place shortly after security forces dismantled bunkers in surrounding areas. Community members questioned how such a large-scale attack could occur despite the presence of security personnel and existing security arrangements in the vicinity.
The incident prompted strong reactions from Kuki civil society organisations and human rights groups, which accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate protection to vulnerable villages in the Leimakhong region.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) condemned the attack and alleged that armed cadres belonging to NSCN-IM and ZUF-K were responsible for the arson.
The organisation described the attack as a serious violation of human rights and an assault on the lives, property and dignity of Kuki-Zo civilians.
KOHUR also expressed concern over what it described as a failure of security forces to prevent the incident despite the recent redeployment of Central Armed Police Force personnel to the area.
The organisation stated that a company of CRPF personnel had reportedly been redeployed to the area on May 29 under orders issued by the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi district. It argued that the burning of a village shortly after such deployment raised serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of the security measures in place.
The human rights body further alleged that more than five Kuki-Zo villages in the Leimakhong belt have been attacked and burned over the past two years and claimed that no perpetrators had been arrested in connection with those incidents.
According to KOHUR, the absence of accountability has contributed to a climate of fear and vulnerability among Kuki-Zo residents in the area.
The organisation demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the Kharam Vaiphei incident, identification and prosecution of those responsible, accountability for any security lapses, compensation for affected families and permanent security arrangements for vulnerable villages in the region.
KOHUR also appealed to the Government of India, the National Human Rights Commission and international human rights bodies to take cognisance of the incident and the broader security concerns affecting Kuki-Zo villages.
Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, also issued a statement condemning the attack and alleged that the village had been burned by members of the ZUF-Kamson group.
KIM described the incident as a deliberate act that could further aggravate tensions between Kuki and Naga communities at a time when restraint and dialogue are needed.
The organisation said continued acts of aggression and intimidation threaten the lives and security of ordinary people and undermine efforts to maintain peace and coexistence.
According to KIM, the Kuki-Zo community has exercised restraint despite repeated provocations and remains committed to democratic and peaceful means of addressing its grievances.
However, the organisation asserted that attempts to threaten the safety, rights and land of the Kuki-Zo people would be firmly resisted.
KIM urged the government and security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation, identify those responsible and take immediate action to prevent further escalation of tensions.
The organisation warned that failure to act decisively against those responsible could embolden elements seeking to destabilise inter-community relations and disturb peace in the region.
The attack comes at a particularly sensitive time, with large sections of the Kuki-Zo community participating in protests across Manipur and other parts of the country over recent incidents of violence and alleged abductions.
As authorities assess the damage and gather information from the affected area, residents and community leaders have continued to call for transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and the role of security forces deployed in the locality.
Officials are expected to conduct further inquiries into the attack and determine the sequence of events that led to the destruction of homes in Kharam Vaiphei village.
At the time of publication, no official statement had been issued by security agencies regarding the allegations raised by villagers and community organisations.
