A sub-inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) sustained a bullet injury to his left foot as fresh violence broke out along the border of Senapati, a Naga-dominated district, and adjoining areas of Kuki-Zo-dominated Kangpokpi district on Monday.

Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion was deployed at an outpost in Matanmai Naga village, Senapati, near the border with Taphou Kuki in Kangpoki district. According to preliminary reports, he was hit in crossfire between the Naga and Kuki village sides. He is undergoing treatment at District Hospital, Senapati.

The violence began at around 2.40 am at Taphou Kuki, where a house was allegedly set on fire by unidentified persons. Fire and emergency services personnel reached around 3.30 am. Further incidents were reported around 4 am in Mareimei area on the Senapati side. A house belonging to Nagas was reportedly set ablaze and another demolished by unidentified persons.

The situation escalated at around 9 am when firing broke out. Security forces have since been deployed in Taphou and adjoining areas. The violence has disrupted traffic along NH-2, the Imphal-Dimapur highway connecting Manipur and Nagaland. Transport services on NH-2 had resumed only last Friday after three years following the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023.