Houses torched in Manipur’s Ukhrul as Tangkhul–Kuki tensions escalate: Security tightened

Several houses were allegedly set on fire by armed militants in Manipur’s Ukhrul district amid renewed tensions between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities , prompting the administration to impose prohibitory orders and deploy additional security forces, officials said on Monday.

The violence broke out at Litan Sareikhong village late Sunday night, where multiple houses belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community were torched , allegedly by Kuki militants. A few houses belonging to the Kuki community were also set ablaze in a nearby area, officials said, indicating retaliatory attacks.

“The extent of damage is being assessed and the situation remains tense,” a district official told PTI.

Earlier on Sunday evening, members of the two tribal groups clashed at Litan Sareikhong, engaging in intense stone pelting, following which security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Additional security personnel have since been deployed at Mahadev, Lambui, Shangkai and other routes leading to Litan to maintain law and order and prevent the movement of suspicious individuals.

Video footage circulating on social media purportedly shows armed men setting fire to houses and vehicles, and militants in camouflage firing sophisticated weapons into the air. PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the clips.

Ukhrul District Magistrate Asish Das, in a notification, said there was apprehension of a breach of peace and tranquillity due to tensions between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities. He imposed restrictions on the movement of people outside their residences from 7 pm on Sunday until further orders, exempting government officials and security personnel.

Officials said the violence was triggered by an alleged assault on a Tangkhul Naga community member by seven to eight persons at Litan village on Saturday night. The matter was initially resolved through discussions between the victim’s family and the chief of Litan Sareikhong, with both sides agreeing to settle the issue through customary practices and convene a meeting on Sunday. However, the meeting did not take place.

Instead, villagers from nearby Sikibung allegedly attacked the residence of the chief of Litan Sareikhong and r eportedly fired seven rounds while passing near the Litan police station.

Militant and armed groups linked to the Kuki-Zo community have been demanding political and territorial safeguards since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in 2023. Officials said arson has been used as a tactic to intimidate residents, force displacement and assert local control, with houses of both communities being targeted due to retaliatory violence, internal factionalism and the close intermixing of villages.

Tangkhuls are the largest Naga tribe in Manipur, while Litan Sareikhong is a Kuki village.

The incident comes at a sensitive time for the state, which has recently returned to elected governance after nearly a year under President’s Rule. President’s Rule was revoked earlier this month, and Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur . Authorities said security arrangements have been strengthened to prevent further escalation amid continuing ethnic tensions.