CRPF jawan shot, houses torched in Manipur's Senapati amid Naga-Kuki tensions
Synopsis
A CRPF sub-inspector was shot in the foot and two houses were torched in Manipur's Senapati district on 24 August, reigniting Naga-Kuki tensions in Taphou village. The fallout — a National Highway-2 blockade and delayed inter-state transport — underscores how quickly localised ethnic flashpoints in Manipur can cascade into broader disruption.
Key Takeaways
CRPF Sub-Inspector Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion was shot in the left foot during a gunfight in Taphou Naga village, Senapati district on 24 August .
Two houses were torched — one belonging to a Kuki resident in Kangpokpi district and another belonging to a Poumai Naga member in Senapati.
Protesters blocked National Highway-2 near Senapati Gate, disrupting Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati inter-state transport.
The Taphou Village Authority issued a 24-hour ultimatum for those responsible for the arson to come forward under Kuki customary law.
Additional security forces and Road Opening Parties (ROP) were deployed along vulnerable highway stretches; both sides reportedly agreed to maintain peace.
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was injured in a gunfight and at least two houses were set ablaze in Manipur's Senapati district on Monday, 24 August, triggering protests and a blockade on National Highway-2, officials confirmed. The fresh violence erupted in and around Taphou village amid heightened tensions between Naga and Kuki tribal communities.
The Shooting and Arson
Sub-Inspector (General Duty) Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion, CRPF, sustained a bullet injury to his left foot during an exchange of fire between two groups in Taphou Naga village. He was evacuated to Senapati District Hospital for treatment and was later reported to be out of danger, according to officials.
Police sources said the firing reportedly followed the burning of two houses belonging to members of different communities — one reportedly owned by a Kuki resident and the other by a member of the Poumai Naga community. A house was first torched at Taphou Kuki village in neighbouring Kangpokpi district, after which another was burnt in Naga Taphou village in Senapati. The circumstances behind the arson and subsequent gunfire were not immediately clear, and there was no official confirmation regarding the identity of those responsible.
Highway Blockade and Protests
The violence triggered protests near Senapati Gate, where locals blocked National Highway-2 by placing burning logs, tyres, and debris on the road. The blockade disrupted vehicle movement along the Imphal-Dimapur highway, a critical inter-state artery linking Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam.
According to Manipur Transport Department officials, inter-state public transport services along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route via National Highway-2 were delayed on Monday. Vehicles that were scheduled to depart in the morning eventually left for Dimapur and Guwahati on Monday afternoon after timely government intervention helped prevent further escalation.
Community Demands and Unverified Allegations
The Taphou Village Authority strongly condemned the burning of the Kuki-owned house and demanded that those responsible be identified and held accountable. The authority issued a 24-hour ultimatum for those allegedly involved in the arson to come forward and resolve the matter under Kuki customary law, according to its statement.
Some residents also alleged that armed Kuki groups were attacking a Liangmai Naga village. This allegation could not be independently verified.
Security Deployment and Government Response
Additional security forces were deployed in Taphou and adjoining areas to prevent further escalation. Road Opening Parties (ROP) were positioned along vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure safe movement of vehicles. Both sides involved in the incident reportedly agreed to maintain peace in the area.
An official statement said the government remains committed to safeguarding civilians and maintaining peace and harmony in the state. This is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Manipur, where ethnic conflict between the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities has periodically flared since mid-2023, leaving the region on a fragile footing.
Point of View
Not dormant ones. The pattern is consistent: a localised arson or altercation between Naga and Kuki residents quickly draws in security forces, triggers highway blockades, and disrupts the region's already fragile connectivity. What is missing from the official response is a credible de-escalation architecture — the 24-hour community ultimatum and the deployment of road opening parties are reactive, not structural. With the Imphal-Dimapur highway serving as a lifeline for three states, repeated blockades carry an economic cost that rarely enters the political accounting.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Manipur's Senapati district on 24 August?
A CRPF jawan was shot in the foot during a gunfight and two houses were torched in Taphou village, Senapati district on 24 August, amid tensions between Naga and Kuki tribal communities. The violence triggered protests and a blockade of National Highway-2.
Who was the CRPF jawan injured in the Senapati incident?
Sub-Inspector (General Duty) Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion, CRPF, sustained a bullet injury to his left foot during an exchange of fire in Taphou Naga village. He was treated at Senapati District Hospital and was later reported to be out of danger.
Why was National Highway-2 blocked in Manipur?
Locals protesting the violence in Taphou village blocked National Highway-2 near Senapati Gate by placing burning logs, tyres, and debris on the road. The blockade delayed inter-state transport services between Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam before government intervention cleared the route in the afternoon.
Which communities were involved in the Taphou village violence?
The violence involved members of the Naga and Kuki tribal communities. One house reportedly belonging to a Kuki resident and another belonging to a Poumai Naga community member were torched. The identity of those responsible had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
What action has been taken after the Senapati violence?
Additional security forces and Road Opening Parties were deployed in Taphou and along vulnerable highway stretches. The Taphou Village Authority issued a 24-hour ultimatum for those responsible for the arson to come forward, and both sides reportedly agreed to maintain peace.
