Kangpokpi Village Torched as ZUF Targets Illegal Poppy Trade
Kangpokpi Village Torched as ZUF Targets Illegal Poppy Trade
Militants torch houses in Kangpokpi district; ZUF claims action against illegal poppy cultivation as security forces rush to the scene.
Armed assailants torched several houses and farmhouses in K. Songlung village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Monday afternoon, officials said. The fire damage was reported from a Kuki-dominated area as security forces including Assam Rifles rushed to the spot.
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) claimed responsibility, saying the arson targeted properties used for illegal poppy cultivation, narcotics trafficking, and encroachment by outsiders. In a statement, the group said it had intensified its campaign after giving warnings and that the operation was part of a broader effort to defend the indigenous land rights of the Zeliangrong Naga people.
Authorities said the full extent of the damage was not yet clear as security sweeps continued. The district has been tense, with local groups such as the Kangpokpi district-based Committee on Tribal Unity demanding action within 24 hours and warning of preemptive measures if perpetrators were not arrested.
The ZUF operates in Tamenglong and Noney districts and parts of Kangpokpi, and says it is fighting illegal poppy cultivation and encroachment. Officials urged residents to remain calm and rely on official updates while security forces conduct further searches and cordons.
