Manipur’s Ukhrul on fire after Tangkhul Naga homes torched, curfew imposed
Ukhrul: At least 20 houses belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community were set ablaze by armed Kuki militants in the Litan Sareikhong area of Manipur’s Ukhrul district, as tensions escalated following a violent clash between residents of Litan Sareikhong (Tangkhul Naga) and Shikibung (Kuki) villages.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the violence erupted after a Tangkhul Naga man was allegedly assaulted by a group of Kuki youths. Although the incident was initially resolved through customary discussions between the victim and the village chief, a planned reconciliation meeting on Sunday failed to take place. Militants from nearby Shikibung then launched a coordinated attack on Litan Sareikhong, torching homes and vehicles, and firing rounds in the vicinity of the village police station.
Video footage circulating on social media shows armed men wearing camouflage, firing weapons into the air, and setting houses ablaze. Indian forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the mobs, but the situation remains volatile. Authorities warned that the exact number of houses damaged could be higher than initial estimates.
In response to the unrest, Ukhrul district authorities imposed a curfew in Litan Sareikhong from 7 pm on Sunday, prohibiting residents from leaving their homes, while exempting government officials and security personnel. Additional forces have been deployed at Mahadev, Lambui, Shangkai, and surrounding areas to maintain law and order and prevent further infiltration by armed groups.
Officials described the ongoing tension as a serious threat to peace and tranquillity in the region, highlighting the persistent inter-tribal animosity between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities. A district official stated, “The damages are being ascertained, and the situation remains tense.”
