Tensions escalated in Manipur's Senapati after several houses were allegedly set on fire in the Tafou area. There was also gunfire reported between armed groups.
One CRPF soldier was shot in the leg during the incident, according to officials. He was admitted to Senapati district hospital.
It is reported that two houses belonging to people from different communities were set on fire before the firing.
One of the houses belonged to a person from the Kuki community and the other from the Poumai Naga community.
Additional security forces were deployed to the region to control the violence.
The houses were set on fire at around 2: 30 pm by miscreants in Taphou Kuki village.
According to an officer, security has been strengthened in the area to control the situation.
Some people alleged that armed Kuki groups were attacking Liangmai Naga village. However, the claim has not been verified.
Meanwhile, protesters blocked NH 2, the Imphal-Dimapur route, near the army headquarters. Images showed burning tyres and debris on the road.
The incident comes during a time when there is high tension between the Naga and Kuki communities in the area.
On May 13th, four people were killed in two separate attacks in Noni and Kangpokpi. Following this, 48 civilians from both communities were alleged taken hostage in retaliatory violence. The hostages were released a month later. The bodies of six Naga men were later found near Kangpokpi.
More than 260 have been killed, and thousands have been displaced since the ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
