Manipur: Dozens of Homes Torched as Inter-Community Violence Erupts in Ukhrul’s Litan Village

Ukhrul, February 9: Prohibitory orders and an indefinite curfew have been clamped in Litan village after a localized altercation between youths spiraled into large-scale inter-community violence. On Sunday, February 8, 2026, dozens of houses belonging to both the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities were reportedly set ablaze, forcing the district administration to requisition additional military and paramilitary forces.

Flames light up the night skyline as houses burn during inter-community clashes in Ukhrul district’s Litan village, triggering curfew and heightened security deployment.

According to officials and local sources, the violence followed a physical scuffle that broke out around 8.30 pm on Saturday in the Litan Sareikhong area. A youth identified as AS Sterling from the Tangkhul community was allegedly assaulted during the incident. The Katho Katamnao Long (KKL), a Tangkhul students’ organisation, claimed the altercation occurred after Sterling switched on a torch to investigate noises in the dark, which allegedly led to a confrontation with a group from the Kuki community.

In the immediate aftermath, village elders and family members reportedly initiated talks to resolve the issue through customary practices, and a meeting was scheduled for Sunday. However, the process reportedly collapsed when one of the parties failed to attend, triggering a sharp escalation in tensions.

By Sunday afternoon, groups from neighbouring villages began assembling in the area, and by evening, the situation spiralled into widespread violence. Villagers said that more than 20 houses belonging to both Tangkhul Naga and Kuki families were gutted in arson attacks, though authorities said the exact number and scale of destruction were yet to be officially assessed.

Eyewitnesses also reported that armed groups allegedly fired several rounds during the clashes. Officials confirmed that seven rounds were reportedly fired near the Litan police station as one group retreated, adding to fear and panic among residents.

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In response, the district administration moved swiftly to reinforce security. Additional forces, including columns of the Assam Rifles, companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and personnel from Army units, were deployed to restore order and prevent further violence.

An order issued by Ukhrul District Magistrate Asish Das imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing a serious apprehension of breach of peace and public tranquillity. The order, effective from 7 pm on Sunday, prohibits the movement of individuals outside their residences until further notice, while exempting security and government officials on duty.

Amid the heightened tension, both the Litan Sareikhong Village Authority and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) appealed for restraint, urging the public not to communalise what they described as an incident that initially stemmed from a localised altercation. Security forces remain deployed in strength, and authorities said the situation, though tense, is under close watch.