Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Tuesday morning, with armed men setting fire to several abandoned houses and opening fire in the Litan Sareikhong area, police said. The state government has suspended internet services in the district for five days as a precautionary measure.
The unrest follows allegations of an assault on a member of the Tangkhul Naga community and comes a day after two Tangkhul Naga organisations restricted the movement of Kukis in Ukhrul and neighbouring Kamjong districts.
“Armed men set ablaze abandoned houses and fired several rounds of bullets at Litan Sareikhong. The situation remains tense, and security forces are trying to bring it under control,” a police officer said.
Officials said the state government ordered suspension of internet services, including broadband, VPN and VSAT, across the revenue jurisdiction of Ukhrul district for five days to prevent the spread of rumours and maintain law and order.
According to police, several residents fled their homes as the violence escalated. Locals who had moved to safer areas confronted security personnel, alleging failure to prevent the firing. A video circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising from the hill area.
Another official said hundreds of villagers from both Kuki and Tangkhul Naga communities — mostly women, children and elderly persons — have fled Litan Sareikhong and nearby villages over the past two days. Many have taken shelter in Motbung and parts of Saikul in Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, as well as in safer areas of Ukhrul.
Manipur minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Monday that at least 21 houses had been burnt and that the situation remained tense. Additional security forces have been deployed to the area.
Meanwhile, two truck drivers who were stranded at Lamlai Chingphei Kuki village after their vehicles broke down were rescued on Monday, police said.
The violence also comes after two Tangkhul Naga organisations — Katho Long and Katho Katamnao Long — imposed restrictions on the movement of Kukis in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
Also read: Militants threaten three Kuki-Zo MLAs
Follow us
