Armed miscreants stormed a remote Liangmai Naga village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district late Tuesday night, opening fire and setting ablaze at least nine houses. The attack has renewed fears of rising ethnic tensions in the state’s troubled hill areas.
The incident took place around 9:30–10 pm on August 11 at Tokpa Liangmai Naga village, also referred to as Tokpa Naga village, in the Champai area between Mahika and Lower Thanamba villages, near Tumnoupokpi Thangal.
Officials and local sources said the attackers fired several rounds before setting fire to mostly kutcha, or makeshift, structures. Residents of neighbouring villages rushed to the area and helped contain the blaze.
No casualties or injuries was reported from the incident.
Additional security personnel were deployed in the area to stabilise the situation. As of Wednesday morning, the Kangpokpi district administration, Manipur Police and security forces had not issued a detailed official statement on the identity of the attackers or the precise sequence of events. Some local accounts put the number of gutted houses lower, while others reported around nine completely destroyed.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, strongly condemned the incident. The council alleged that multiple armed miscreants entered the village and deliberately set fire to around 10 houses and a church.
In a press release, the council described the targeting of civilian homes, residential properties and a place of worship as a “grave and reprehensible act of violence.” It also expressed concern that security personnel were reportedly stationed only a few metres away in what is considered a sensitive red-zone area. The council raised questions about preparedness and possible negligence or dereliction of duty.
The council demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, a swift, impartial and time-bound investigation, an inquiry into the conduct of nearby security forces, enhanced protection for residents, and adequate relief, rehabilitation and compensation for affected families.
It also warned against further attacks on tribal communities and insisted that those responsible must be brought to justice. Allegations linking the attackers to a specific community have circulated locally but remain unverified and lack official confirmation.
The latest attack comes against the backdrop of a complex and evolving conflict in Manipur. What began primarily as Meitei-Kuki violence in May 2023 has, in recent months, seen fresh fault lines emerge between Naga and Kuki groups in hill districts including Kangpokpi, Senapati and parts of Ukhrul.
The attack also came as Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced a 15-day deadline on Wednesday for the voluntary surrender of looted or unauthorised weapons.
Speaking at a Home Department programme at the 1st Manipur Rifles Ground aimed at showcasing efforts to restore normalcy, the CM said the government had recovered **1,422 firearms, 7,010 rounds of ammunition and 1,137 explosives** between the formation of the present government in February 2026 and August 11.
He said some weapons remain unrecovered and appealed to those still holding illegal arms to surrender them through their respective MLAs or district police within 15 days. After the deadline, anyone found with such weapons would face action under relevant laws.
Khemchand said the large number of voluntary surrenders indicated a public desire for peace. At the same time, he acknowledged that the prolonged crisis since 2023 had caused immense suffering and created a deep trust deficit among communities.
The government, he said, continues outreach and dialogue as the only sustainable path forward. Security forces are also working to ensure the movement of essential commodities despite intermittent challenges on national highways.
A display of recovered weapons and a short film titled “Manipur Marches to Peace” formed part of the programme, which was attended by senior ministers and officials.