Six vacant Meitei homes were torched in Imphal West's Kanto Sabal area, prompting a protest of nearly 600 people. Rapid intervention by army and CAPF forces averted a potential communal riot.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • Six abandoned Meitei houses were set on fire in Kanto Sabal, Imphal West
  • Security forces used tear gas and baton charge to disperse a crowd of about 600
  • Two arrests made; situation stabilized but communal tension remains high

On Saturday around 12:30 pm, a group of agitators set fire to six empty houses belonging to the Meitei community in the Kanto Sabal locality, near the Leimakhong Army Camp in Imphal West district, Manipur. The properties had remained vacant since the ethnic violence erupted in May 2023.

Background and Triggers

Manipur has been simmering with Meitei‑Kuki clashes since mid‑2023, triggered by economic blockades, land disputes and the proliferation of illegal arms. The latest incident appears linked to a rally organized by residents of neighboring Kangpokpi district protesting the inter‑district economic blockade.

Security Response

As flames engulfed the houses, residents of nearby Meitei villages attempted to march toward the site, swelling the crowd to nearly 600. Army personnel and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) swiftly intervened, deploying tear‑gas shells and conducting a baton charge. Three locals suffered minor injuries; no fatalities were reported.

Arrests and Investigation

Joint teams of Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Army apprehended two suspects: Kammang Lhouvum (65), village chief and chairman of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee, and Pagin Hangshing (30) of Khunkho Kuki village. A criminal case has been filed and investigations continue to identify additional perpetrators.

Community Reaction

Local residents staged protests, accusing security forces of failing to prevent the arson and of blocking them from reaching the burning houses. Civil‑society groups, including Apunba Ima Lup and Imagi Meira, demanded impartial law enforcement and protection for all communities.

The episode underscores the fragile peace in Manipur, where recurring ethnic tensions have displaced thousands and claimed hundreds of lives. Without a comprehensive political solution, such flashpoints may recur.