Imphal, Jan 26: Even as the nation celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day, reaffirming the ideals of unity, sovereignty and constitutional rule, Manipur witnessed a disturbing act of violence with the burning of a tribal Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, sparking fresh tension in the hill areas.
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| A house engulfed in flames at K. Songlung village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, following an arson attack |
Officials said suspected militants on Monday afternoon set fire to houses and other structures at K. Songlung village in Kangpokpi. The attackers were reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons. The extent of damage was yet to be fully assessed as security forces, including the Assam Rifles, rushed to the spot following the incident.
According to officials, the village was reduced to ashes in the attack, which occurred amid heightened sensitivity due to Republic Day celebrations. Disturbing videos purportedly showing the burning structures have since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
Meanwhile, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) claimed responsibility for burning farm houses and farms in the Waphong area of Songlung village. In a statement, the armed group said it had intensified its campaign against what it described as illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking and unlawful encroachment within the ancestral and customary territory of the Zeliangrong Inpui Naga people.
ZUF stated that it had issued repeated public warnings and allowed time for compliance before carrying out what it termed “enforcement action” around 12.15 pm. The group claimed farm houses, agricultural fields and materials allegedly used for illegal poppy cultivation and unauthorised structures were dismantled and set ablaze. It further alleged that those involved had ignored the will of indigenous communities and continued activities posing threats to public safety, land rights and the future of the region.
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However, the incident has drawn sharp political reactions. Congress Kuki leader Lamtinthang Haokip alleged that suspected militants belonging to the ZUF (Kamson faction) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM) were responsible for burning down the Kuki village. In a post on X, Haokip said that while the rest of the country was celebrating Republic Day, K. Songlung village had been “turned into ashes.”
He further blamed the BJP-led government for what he described as a failure to stop ethnic violence in the state since May 3, 2023, alleging that the continuing unrest reflected a “sinister design” and had led to grave consequences for vulnerable communities.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of nearly three years of sustained ethnic unrest in Manipur, marked by repeated attacks, displacement and insecurity. Observers warn that the torching of an entire village on Republic Day signals a worrying escalation and raises fears of renewed violence in the already volatile hill districts.
