The Manipur village attack in Kangpokpi district triggered a nearly six-hour gunfight between suspected militants and CRPF personnel early Wednesday, September 16. The attackers targeted Chawangkining Naga village late Tuesday night, officials said.
Firing began at around 10.30 pm and continued intermittently until about 4.30 am. Security forces prevented the armed group from entering the settlement, although two wooden houses on the village outskirts were set ablaze during the clash.
Manipur village attack begins late at night
According to officials, a large group of suspected militants approached Chawangkining Naga village in Kangpokpi district around 10.30 pm. CRPF personnel deployed near the settlement returned fire after the attackers opened fire.
The exchange continued for several hours. Meanwhile, security personnel held their positions and stopped the armed group from pushing deeper into the village.
A resident, Daniel Charenamai, said the firing continued from late Tuesday night until the early hours of Wednesday. His account was also reported by India Today NE.
The incident caused fresh concern in an area that has witnessed repeated violence and armed clashes. However, officials did not immediately report any confirmed deaths or injuries from the overnight gunfight.
Two houses burn during the clash
Two wooden houses located on the periphery of Chawangkining were burned during the Manipur village attack, officials said. The militants were unable to overrun the main settlement after CRPF personnel responded to the firing.
The circumstances surrounding the burning of the houses remain under investigation. Reports available so far do not establish who set the structures on fire.
The attack also highlights the risks faced by residents of villages located in areas affected by recurring armed violence. For civilians, prolonged exchanges of fire can disrupt movement, damage homes and create fresh fears about safety.
Manipur village attack follows killings in Tamenglong
The Manipur village attack came only hours after two Kuki-Zo women were shot dead at Leisangphai village in neighbouring Tamenglong district, according to officials and media reports.
The victims were identified as 28-year-old nursing graduate Kimjalhai Singson and 76-year-old Phalneichong Sitlhou. The two incidents occurred in neighbouring districts and added to tensions across the region.
Authorities have not publicly established a direct link between the killings and the later attack on Chawangkining. Therefore, any connection between the incidents remains a matter for investigation.
The sequence of events, however, has heightened concerns about further violence between communities in the region.
Leaders condemn the latest violence
The Manipur village attack and the killings in Tamenglong drew condemnation from leaders representing different communities.
Naga Peoples’ Front legislator and senior Naga leader Awangbou Newmai condemned the killings and the burning of houses at Chawangkining. He said violence would not benefit any community.
A Kuki MLA from Saikul constituency in Kangpokpi also condemned the killings of the two women. She alleged that cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF-K were involved in those killings. However, that allegation has not been independently established in the reports available so far.
The differing allegations underline the need to distinguish confirmed details from claims made by political or community representatives.
Security response remains under focus
The immediate security response prevented the attackers from entering the main village, according to officials. CRPF personnel maintained their position during the prolonged exchange and brought the firing to an end by around 4.30 am.
The Manipur village attack comes amid a series of recent violent incidents across parts of the state. Authorities continue to face the challenge of protecting settlements in remote and vulnerable areas while preventing further escalation.
For Chawangkining residents, the immediate concern is the damage caused by the overnight violence and the restoration of security. Further official information could clarify the identity of the attackers, the circumstances behind the burning of the two houses and whether anyone was injured during the gunfight.
As investigations continue, the latest incident adds another layer to the security concerns facing Manipur’s conflict-affected districts.
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