Imphal: Five abandoned houses belonging to Meiteis were set on fire, allegedly by a group of Kuki protesters, at Kanto Sabal and Leimakhong Chingmang in Imphal West district on Saturday afternoon, triggering fresh tension in the sensitive border area between Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts.The incident occurred at around 1pm near Leimakhong, where central security forces, including the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army, have been deployed with multiple layers of barricades due to the area’s sensitivity.According to local residents, Kuki groups had been staging protests for the past few days along the Kanto Sabal-Leimakhong stretch. On Saturday, information about another protest circulated, prompting Meitei and Naga villagers to approach security personnel after smoke was seen rising from the direction of abandoned Meitei houses. Initially, security personnel reportedly informed them that the smoke was from burning tyres used during the protest. However, villagers later found that around five Meitei houses were set ablaze.Residents alleged that despite the presence of central security forces nearby, no immediate action was taken to stop the houses from being torched.Following the incident, Meitei and Naga villagers attempted to reach the affected area to extinguish the flames. However, it was alleged that security forces, backed by Casspir armoured vehicles, prevented them from advancing. As the crowd pressed forward, security personnel fired blank rounds and used tear gas and smoke shells to disperse them. At least five people reportedly sustained minor injuries during the confrontation.Although the Fire Service later reached the spot after security forces secured the area, five houses were destroyed in the fire.Senior officers, including personnel from the CRPF, RAF and the SP, Imphal West, arrived at the scene in the afternoon to assess the situation. Security forces also reportedly fired tear gas later in the afternoon after reports emerged that some Kuki individuals had gathered in nearby areas.The houses had remained abandoned since their owners fled during the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. The state govt had recently initiated steps to facilitate the return of displaced families to their homes.Meanwhile, joint teams of the Manipur Police, CRPF, Rapid Action Force and the Indian Army arrested two persons on Saturday in connection with a case involving mob violence at Kanto Sabal in the Leimakhong area.The arrested persons have been identified as Kammang Lhouvum, 65, son of late Vompao Lhouvum, chief of Hengjang village and chairman of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee, and Pagin Hangshing, 30, son of Lunpao Hangshing, a resident of Khunkho Kuki village.Police officials added that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the incident, and investigation is continuing.
