Houses Torched, Shots Fired as Violence Escalates in Ukhrul, Manipur
Houses Torched, Shots Fired as Violence Escalates in Ukhrul, Manipur
Fresh violence in Ukhrul with arson, gunfire, and an internet blackout as security forces move in amid Tangkhul-Kuki tensions.
In Ukhrul, a fresh bout of violence unfolded on Tuesday morning after an alleged assault on a Tangkhul Naga community member, with several abandoned houses set ablaze and gunfire exchanged in the Litan Sareikhong area. The incident prompted authorities to suspend internet services in the revenue jurisdiction of Ukhrul district for five days as a precautionary measure. Security personnel were deployed to try to stabilise the situation as residents fled their homes.
A police officer cited the arson and firing in Litan Sareikhong as part of a broader pattern of unrest following the incident between Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts. Thick smoke was seen rising from affected areas in videos circulating locally, with hundreds of villagers, including women and children, seeking shelter in safer locales in Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts.
The government has said internet suspensions include broadband, VPN, and VSAT services, aimed at preventing the spread of incendiary material and misinformation as security forces intensify patrols and dragnets in the region in an effort to restore calm. Earlier reports from officials noted that at least 21 houses had already been burned in the area as tensions mounted. Authorities have deployed additional security forces to bolster law-and-order operations and prevent further clashes.
Separately, two Tangkhul Naga organisations reportedly restricted the movement of Kukis in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in response to the tensions, complicating the security situation and raising concerns about displacement. Locals have described scenes of fear and displacement, with many seeking refuge in safer pockets of nearby districts.
Among the unsettled details, reports indicated two drivers were stranded at Lamlai Chingphei Kuki village under the Litan Police Station limits after their truck became stuck amid the unrest, underscoring how the violence has disrupted daily life and transport links in the region.
