Tensions boiled over in Manipur’s Ukhrul district as Naga and Kuki groups clashed violently, forcing a five-day internet blackout announced by the state administration. Tuesday’s police briefing painted a picture of arson and gunfire ravaging Litan Sareikhong village.
Reports indicate that just a day after two Tangkhul Naga organizations blocked Kuki movement in Ukhrul and neighboring Kamjong districts, assailants set fire to numerous empty homes and unleashed a barrage of bullets. Over the last two days, at least 30 structures have been gutted, tracing back to a purported assault on a Naga man.
Extra security reinforcements, including central forces, have flooded the hills. Curfews blanket the hotspots, with top brass overseeing operations from a newly established unified command center. Despite the strain, officials claim partial control has been achieved through swift interventions.
The home department’s order, signed by N. Ashok Kumar, cites fears of social media fueling unrest via provocative posts and videos. All data services—from broadband to satellite links—are now offline for five days to safeguard public order.
Political ripples are mounting. Congress MLA Keshm Meghachandra called the incidents ‘shameful,’ criticizing the fresh government’s inability to quell ethnic strife. He appealed for urgent measures amid a history of friction, including Sunday’s rock-throwing frenzy that necessitated tear gas and movement restrictions.
On the ground, Naga Deputy CM Losii Dikho mediates tirelessly, navigating the demographic divide where Kukis hold sway in the village against the dominant Tangkhul Naga presence statewide. With senior police camped out, the state braces for potential flare-ups, prioritizing dialogue and deterrence in this volatile northeast pocket.