Kangpokpi, February 24, 2026: The Leplen Village Authority in Saikul, Lhungtin Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district, has issued a clarification regarding the February 23 incident involving a patch of land that caught fire, rejecting allegations that members of the Kuki community deliberately set the blaze.
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| Smoke and flames rise from a forested hill area following the February 23 fire incident in Saikul, Kangpokpi district. (Image: Screenshot from viral video) |
In a statement dated February 24, the authority refuted claims circulated in a press release by the Sinakeithei Village Authority, which alleged intentional arson by Kukis. The Leplen Village Authority described the accusation as “baseless and without factual foundation.”
According to the statement, the land in question is equally important to both the Kuki and Tangkhul communities and has historically been used as a hunting ground. It noted that the area has experienced similar fire incidents in the past without any identified cause or confirmed individual responsible.
The authority further emphasized that the area serves as a crucial access route for the Kuki community, functioning as a key link to Saikul town, with hundreds of vehicles commuting regularly between Saikul and Kangpokpi. It termed it illogical to suggest that Kukis would intentionally damage land vital to their own connectivity.
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Addressing another allegation that a Tangkhul elderly man was abducted with intent to murder, the statement categorically denied the claim. It clarified that the elderly man was found farming nearby while some Kuki youths were attempting to douse the fire. He was treated with due respect and safely handed over to the Sinakeithei Village Authority.
The Leplen Village Authority expressed concern that what it described as a minor and misunderstood incident had been portrayed in a communal light through distorted narratives. It urged village authorities, civil society organizations, and church leaders from both Kuki and Tangkhul communities to act responsibly and work collaboratively to preserve peace, mutual understanding, and harmony.
