Around 15 abandoned houses were torched in Manipur's Kamjong district, prompting security forces to step up patrols amid Naga-Kuki tensions. A Tangkhul Naga body blamed suspected Kuki militants, but the allegation remains unverified.
Separately, Manipur Police arrested an alleged PLA cadre and intensified operations against extortion and other criminal activities.Manipur’s uneasy calm shaken as 15 abandoned houses are set ablazeImphal,Oct 21, 2026 23:19 ISTAround 15 abandoned houses were set ablaze by unidentified miscreants in Khoikai village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Wednesday morning, prompting security forces to intensify patrolling and preventive measures to avert further incidents.Police said Khoikai village, located around 14 km northeast of Chassad police station, has remained deserted since April following the outbreak of clashes between Naga and Kuki communities.The identity of those behind the arson and their motive are yet to be established, officials said.In a statement, the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga, Ukhrul, alleged that suspected Kuki militants were responsible for setting fire to Patleijang hamlet of Yaolen village, near Litan police station in Ukhrul district, in the early hours of October 20, and Khoikai village in Kamjong district on October 21. The committee alleged that the incidents were part of an attempt to provoke further confrontation and create a pretext for an offensive against the Tangkhul Nagas.
It also cited previous incidents involving the burning of houses in Lanchah and Phaimol in April and July, respectively, making similar allegations.The allegations could not be independently verified. Meanwhile, Manipur Police said security forces had stepped up patrolling, area domination and other preventive measures in Kamjong district to maintain law and order and prevent further incidents.Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, accompanied by the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) and the Deputy Inspector General of the BSF’s Manipur sector headquarters, visited the district on Tuesday to assess the prevailing security situation.The senior officers interacted with police personnel and reviewed law-and-order arrangements.
A joint security coordination meeting was also held with representatives of the 11 Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force to strengthen coordination among security agencies.The police leadership subsequently met representatives of Kuki and Naga civil society organisations and discussed the situation, assuring them of police support and assistance in restoring peace and normalcy in the district.In a separate development, Manipur Police arrested an alleged active cadre of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), an armed insurgent group, during an intelligence-based operation on Wednesday.The arrested person was identified as Moirangthem Nelson Meitei, alias Mani, 32, a resident of Langthabal Mantrikhong Mayai Leikai under Singjamei police station in Imphal West district. He was apprehended by a team of the Special Commando Unit at Khabeisoi, police said.Police said intelligence-based combing, cordon and search operations were also being carried out across the state to apprehend individuals involved in extortion and other criminal activities.Meanwhile, Police Commemoration Day was observed at the Manipur Police Memorial at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles complex in Imphal to honour police personnel and security force members who died in the line of duty.DGP Mukesh Singh and other senior officers paid floral tributes to the fallen personnel, followed by a ceremonial parade and gun salute.Police also cautioned the public against circulating fake or misleading posts on social media, warning that those responsible could face legal action.
Residents were urged to surrender looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or the nearest security forces unit.- Ends