Ukhrul, February 9: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand on Monday visited RIMS Hospital to meet those injured in the recent violence in Litan village of Ukhrul district and assured them of all necessary medical care for their speedy recovery.
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| Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand visits injured victims at RIMS Hospital following the Litan violence in Ukhrul district, assuring medical care and support. (Image:facebook.com/YKhemchandSingh) |
Describing the incident as arising out of a misunderstanding, the Chief Minister said the situation was now under control and appealed to all communities to exercise restraint, uphold the rule of law, and maintain peace and harmony. He also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was held at Litan Police Station by Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangsing, along with Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, the General Officer Commanding of the Assam Rifles, the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC), Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) and leaders of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL). Officials said the meeting aimed at restoring peace and normalcy, though its outcome was yet to be announced.
Prohibitory orders and an indefinite curfew were imposed in Litan village after a localised altercation between youths escalated into large-scale inter-community violence involving Tangkhul Naga and Kuki groups on February 8. Dozens of houses belonging to both communities were reportedly torched, forcing the district administration to requisition additional Army, Assam Rifles and Central Armed Police Forces.
According to officials and local sources, the violence followed a physical scuffle around 8.30 pm on Saturday in the Litan Sareikhong area, during which a Tangkhul youth was allegedly assaulted. Although village elders initially attempted to resolve the issue through customary talks, the process reportedly collapsed, triggering a sharp escalation in tensions.
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By Sunday evening, mobs from neighbouring villages allegedly set fire to over 20 houses, while eyewitnesses reported gunfire near the Litan police station, adding to fear and panic among residents.
Ukhrul District Magistrate Asish Das imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing apprehension of breach of peace. Security forces remain deployed in strength, and authorities said the situation, though tense, is under close watch.
Both the Litan Sareikhong Village Authority and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) have appealed for restraint and urged the public not to communalise an incident that initially stemmed from a localised altercation.
