10 houses, church set ablaze in fresh violence in Manipur

Guwahati: Around 10 houses and a church were set ablaze on Tuesday night as fresh violence erupted in Tokpa Naga village in Champhai area of Kangpokpi district.

The Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), Manipur, said in a statement on Wednesday that the incident occurred around 9.30 pm on August 11. It said armed persons entered the village and set fire to 10 houses and a church.

LNC strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over the alleged targeting of civilian homes and a place of worship. "The council is particularly appalled and deeply concerned by reports that security personnel were stationed merely a few metres from the affected area as the locality is a highly sensitive red-zone area," the statement said.


LNC demanded an inquiry into the conduct of the security personnel deployed in the vicinity and into any possible dereliction of duty. The council also demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, along with a swift and time-bound investigation into the incident. It called for enhanced security in the affected area and adequate relief, rehabilitation and compensation for the families whose homes and properties were allegedly destroyed.