Tension grips Manipur's Ukhrul after militants set ablaze several houses; prohibitory orders imposed

IMPHAL: Armed militants allegedly torched several houses in Manipur’s Ukhrul district amid simmering tensions following the reported "assault" of a member of the Tangkhul Naga community, officials said on Monday.The unrest escalated on Sunday evening when two tribal groups engaged in intense stone pelting at Litan village in the district. Following the violence, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders to prevent further escalation, officials added.Around midnight on Monday, several houses belonging to members of the Tangkhul Naga community were set on fire at Litan Sareikhong, allegedly by Kuki militants, officials said.

A few houses of Kuki community members were also torched in a nearby area, they added.Tangkhul is the largest Naga tribe in Manipur, while Litan Sareikhong is a Kuki village."The damages are being ascertained, and the situation remains tense," a district official told PTI.Video footages doing the rounds show armed men setting fire to houses and vehicles in the village, and militants wearing camouflage firing with sophisticated weapons in the air.

PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video clips.Additional security personnel have been deployed at Mahadev, Lambui and Shangkai, as well as in other areas leading to Litan, to maintain law and order and prevent the movement of suspicious persons, an official said.On Sunday evening, security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse two tribal groups that clashed at Litan Sareikhong village, he said.According to a notification issued by the Ukhrul district magistrate, there was apprehension of a breach of peace and tranquillity in the village due to tensions between members of the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities.District magistrate Asish Das said in the order that the movement of any person outside their residence is prohibited from 7 pm on Sunday until further orders. The restrictions do not apply to government officials and security personnel.Violence erupted in the area after a member of the Tangkhul Naga community was allegedly assaulted by seven to eight persons at Litan village on Saturday night.Officials said the matter was later settled between the victim’s side and the chief of Litan Sareikhong, with both parties agreeing to resolve the issue through customary means. A meeting had been scheduled for Sunday to formalise the resolution.However, the meeting did not take place. Instead, a group of villagers from nearby Sikibung allegedly attacked the residence of the chief of Litan Sareikhong, officials said.The villagers also reportedly fired seven rounds while passing through the vicinity of the Litan police station, they added.(With agency inputs)