A Kuki electric lineman was killed in Tamenglong district while attacks and exchanges of fire were reported from several Naga villages in Tamenglong, Noney and Kangpokpi districts on September 23.
The deceased was identified as Paojangam Chongloi, 36, son of Lutjalam Chongloi of Wokotphai, who was killed at Lasan Songpi village in Tamenglong district while working on a 33-kV power line. Chongloi was working on a 33-kV power line when he was shot at around 4 am at Lasan village.
In Kangpokpi, violence was reported from Makui Chamriupiu, Langka and Thanamba, where residents fled towards nearby forest areas after armed men allegedly entered the villages.
Reports said houses were set on fire in the affected villages, with 24 houses destroyed in Makui Chamriupiu and Makui Thanamba.
Three other Naga villages in Noney district, Tazeikaiphun Part-III, Mukti Khullen Part-V and Mukti Kapningching, also came under attack, according to local reports.
Village guards exchanged fire with the attackers in the Noney area before security forces reached the locations. Houses were also reported burnt at Mukti Khullen Part-V and Mukti Kapningching.
The violence later reached Makui Thebram in Kangpokpi at around 3.30 pm, when suspected militants reportedly surrounded the village and opened fire. Villagers and village guards returned fire as explosions were also reported from the area, following which security forces moved towards the village.
No death or injury was reported from Makui Thebram in the reports available on September 24. The incidents occurred across villages located along the Tamenglong-Kangpokpi belt, with residents from several affected areas moving away from their homes amid the attacks.
