Armed militants set fire to several houses in Litan Sareikhong and the neighbouring Sikibung village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district following clashes between Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities, officials informed on Monday.
Tensions escalated after a member of the Tangkhul Naga community was allegedly assaulted by seven to eight persons at Litan village on Sunday night.
Efforts to resolve the matter through customary means, including a meeting with the village chief scheduled for Sunday, did not materialise.
Two tribal groups engaged in intense stone-pelting on Sunday evening at Litan, prompting the administration to impose prohibitory orders. Around midnight, several Tangkhul homes were torched in Litan Sareikhong, allegedly by Kuki militants, while a few Kuki homes in nearby areas were also set ablaze.
A rural bank and at least nine Tangkhul homes were reportedly destroyed.
Tangkhuls constitute the largest Naga tribe in Manipur, while Litan Sareikhong is predominantly Kuki. Video footage circulating on social media shows armed men in camouflage uniforms setting fire to homes and vehicles and firing rounds into the air, though PTI could not independently verify the clips.
Additional security forces have been deployed at Mahadev, Lambui, Shangkai and other routes leading to Litan to maintain law and order and restrict the movement of suspicious individuals. Security personnel fired tear gas shells on Sunday evening to disperse the groups clashing at Litan Sareikhong.
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The Ukhrul District Magistrate, citing a “strong apprehension of a breach of peace and public tranquillity,” invoked Sub-Section 1 of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, imposing a complete prohibition on movement outside residences from 7 pm on Sunday until further notice. Government officials and security personnel are exempted.
CM Assures Security for Kuki-Zo Visitors to Imphal
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh assured on Monday that the state government will ensure the security of all individuals from the Kuki-Zo community visiting Imphal.
Addressing a function, Singh said, “The government will not allow anything to happen to people of the Kuki-Zo community in Imphal, where Meiteis are the majority.”
Singh cited prompt medical assistance extended to MLA Vungzagin Valte, who was airlifted to New Delhi for treatment after falling ill in Churachandpur. “The state government will take full responsibility for any Kuki-Zo individual who comes to Imphal for medical treatment or other purposes,” he added.
Ethnic tensions in the state, which erupted in May 2023 between Meiteis and Kukis, have left over 260 dead and displaced thousands, with communities largely avoiding each other’s areas.
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