Tensions flared in Manipur again as additional violence broke out in the Litan neighborhood in Ukhrul district with 21 houses, along with several government quarters, being set alight in the night hours of Sunday and Monday. The violent event has triggered large-scale population withdrawal from both the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki-Zo areas who are moving to safer sites in neighbouring Kangpokpi and other areas.
The disturbance is said to have derived from a misunderstanding between them after a drunken brawl on the night of February 7 at Litan Sareikhong. A Tangkhul Naga man, it was alleged, was assaulted by a group of men when the altercation broke out. Although local leaders had tried, by traditional tribal laws, to sort out the situation, there was no peace session as of Sunday.
History of the Escalation
- Sunday Evening: A violent outburst of stone-pelting broke out between the two sides in Litan Bazar. Security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
- Sunday Night (7:00 PM): The District Magistrate of Ukhrul, Asish Das took prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS to restrain movement.
- Midnight Monday: Armed miscreants are said to have set on fire residential structures, despite the curfew. Most of the torched houses were the Tangkhul community, reports say, though some Kuki homes and four government quarters were destroyed as well.
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho and local MLAs visited the affected site Monday to assess the damage involved and meet with village heads. “The situation is tense but contained in time. We are engaged with leaders from both sides to help ensure this one incident is not a turn point for greater communal conflict on the other hand," Dikho added. Y. Khemchand Singh, Chief Minister, visited injured victims at RIMS Hospital in Imphal and called for “restraint and harmony.”
The state government announced emergency helicopter services between Ukhrul and Imphal in an attempt to help people stranded by the sudden attack. Heavy deployments of the Assam Rifles, BSF, and CRPF are still on high alert in the area to prevent further burning of houses because of arson there.
