5 houses torched at Kharam Vaiphei village

Our Correspondent
KANGPOKPI, May 30 : Armed assailants allegedly attacked and torched several houses in Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district on Saturday even as thousands of Kuki-Zo people were participating in a Nationwide protest demanding justice for three slain Church leaders and the release of 14 hostages.
According to local sources the attack on Kharam Vaiphei village took place at around 2.15 pm, with armed persons hurling bombs and firing sophisticated weapons at the settlement located near the Leimakhong Army Headquarters.
At least five residential houses were reportedly burnt during the assault, said the sources.
Kuki bodies have accused ZUF-Kamson and NSCN-IM of carrying out the attack.
Villagers alleged that personnel of the 158 Battalion CRPF and the Gorkha Rifles were present in the village when the attack occurred but failed to take retaliatory action against the attackers.
While official confirmation was awaited, sources said security personnel recovered at least three lathod bomb shell casing from the site after the attack.
In the aftermath of the attack, protesters specifically targeted the district police leadership, alleging a complete breakdown of security arrangements.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has strongly condemned the burning of Kharam Vaiphei village and warned it could further destabilise the already fragile security situation in the State.
KIM described the alleged attack as a “reprehensible and provocative act” aimed at escalating tensions between Kuki and Naga communities. KIM urged the Government and security agencies to immediately intervene, conduct an impartial investigation into the incident, identify those responsible and take swift action to prevent any further deterio- ration of law and order. The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR)  and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), South West Sadar Hills Block  have also condemned the attack. “What makes this incident particularly alarming is that it occurred barely a day after the redeployment of Central Armed Police Force personnel into the area,” said KOHUR.