Pastor Shot, Over 30 Houses Burnt in Tapon Villages; Security Response Questioned

SENAPATI, September 2: A pastor was injured after being shot while attempting to escape an armed attack in three Liangmai Naga villages under T. Waichong Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district. He was brought to the District Hospital, Senapati, on Wednesday as reports emerged of extensive destruction in the affected villages.

More than 30 houses, including a church, were reportedly burnt, while vehicles, heavy machinery, food supplies and other livelihood assets were also destroyed during the attack, which began in the early hours of Tuesday and continued for several hours.

The affected areas reportedly included Pipuram Makui, Naga Tapon (Old) Village and Naga Tapon Namsan (New) Village. Two civilians, including Pastor Luithuibou Newmai, were reportedly injured.

Speaking from the hospital, Pastor Luithuibou said he remained trapped amid continuous firing from around 3:45 am until nearly 12:30 pm. He said he was shot while attempting to move to safety, sustaining injuries to his right hand and back. Doctors reportedly found around seven pellets lodged near his spine.

The pastor said the bag carrying his Bible and a torchlight may have helped protect him during the attack.

The violence reportedly caused widespread property damage. At least 13 houses, including a church granary, were burnt in Naga Tapon Namsan, while at least 10 houses, including a church, were reportedly destroyed in Tapon Naga (Old). Several vehicles and machinery, including trucks, a JCB, stone crusher, motorcycles and an Eeco van, were also reportedly burnt.

The prolonged attack has raised questions over the security response and the protection available to vulnerable civilian villages.

Pastor Luithuibou alleged that security personnel stationed nearby could have reached the affected villages within five to seven minutes. However, he claimed that firing continued for several hours without effective intervention, while security forces from Senapati reportedly reached the area only around 1 pm.

Locals have also questioned the apparent difference in security deployment. During a recent combing operation at Taphou, around 1,000 COBRA personnel were reportedly deployed. Against this backdrop, residents have raised concerns over why adequate security was allegedly unavailable when the three villages came under prolonged attack.

The injured pastor reportedly could not be evacuated on Tuesday because an ambulance was unavailable. He was eventually taken to Senapati the following day under security escort.

The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur has urged the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to immediately strengthen security in vulnerable villages, protect civilian lives and take legal action against those responsible for the attack and destruction.