Litan, Ukhrul, February 8: Tension gripped Litan Sareikhong on the night of February 7, 2026, after a minor altercation involving intoxicated individuals escalated into an armed mob attack, prompting urgent appeals for restraint and communal harmony from local authorities and civil bodies.
According to the Litan Sareikhong Village Authority, the incident began around 8:30 pm when a scuffle broke out between a few intoxicated persons belonging to the Tangkhul and Kuki communities. During the altercation, one individual sustained injuries.
Later that night, at around 10 pm, the injured person’s brother and sister approached the Chief of Litan Sareikhong, Hemkhothang Baite, to report the incident. Following discussions, both parties mutually agreed to resolve the matter peacefully through customary practices, with a meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 8.
However, the agreed resolution process reportedly broke down when the victim’s family failed to attend the scheduled meeting. The situation subsequently escalated when a group of heavily armed villagers, allegedly from Sikibung, launched a violent attack on the residence of the Litan Sareikhong village chief. Despite intervention by the police, the attackers allegedly continued their actions by targeting the house of the individual involved in the initial scuffle.
The violence further intensified as the armed group reportedly fired seven rounds of bullets while retreating through the vicinity of the Litan Police Station, triggering fear and panic among residents of the otherwise peaceful town.
ALSO READ: Manipur Chief Minister Sees Off Ailing Kuki-Zo MLA Vungzagin Valte at Imphal Airport
In response, the Litan Sareikhong Village Authority has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the villagers involved, accusing them of unlawful actions, attempts to escalate the incident, and spreading terror among the general public. The Authority strongly condemned the violence and cautioned against turning a localised dispute into a communal issue.
Echoing these concerns, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Ukhrul District, through its Department of Media, issued a separate statement strongly condemning the mob attack. The organisation described the resort to collective violence as unjustified and unacceptable, stressing that the incident originated from a minor altercation that was already being addressed through established customary mechanisms.
Both the Village Authority and the KSO appealed to the public, civil society organisations, and all concerned stakeholders to exercise restraint and responsibility. They reiterated that the incident should not be communalised or misrepresented, warning that such narratives could further inflame tensions and obstruct justice.
Calling for peace, dialogue, and respect for customary and legal processes, the statements urged the authorities to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry, ensure accountability for those involved in the violence, and take necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
