Manipur: Curfew imposed after fresh violence in Ukhrul, internet suspended

Curfew was imposed and internet services suspended in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Tuesday after unidentified armed persons set homes on fire, forcing residents to flee their homes overnight, India Today reported.

The armed groups allegedly torched houses in Litan Sareikhong village late on Monday and fired several rounds in the air. They set about 10 homes on fire, The Hindu quoted unidentified locals as saying.

Videos shared on social media showed several homes on fire.

Amid the unrest, several villagers fled to safer areas in the neighbouring Kangpokpi district, India Today reported. Tangkhul Naga villagers were also reported to have moved out.

The tensions in the district had been building since Saturday night after a Tangkhul Naga man was allegedly assaulted at Litan village. An attempt to resolve the matter through customary practices failed after a scheduled meeting between the complainant’s family and the chief of Litan Sareikhong village did not take place.

On Sunday, members of the two communities clashed at Litan, with persons from both sides throwing stones, officials said. This prompted the security forces to fire tear gas shells to disperse the groups.

Ukhrul District Magistrate Asish Das imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita on Sunday, citing apprehension of a breach of peace.

The orders that came into force from 7 pm on Sunday prohibited the movement of persons outside their homes and activities that may disturb law and order in the notified area until further notice.

On Monday, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho inspected the areas affected by the clashes. He said that he interacted with the village heads of the Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul Naga communities and added that “everyone wants to have peace”, ANI reported.

“Maybe 20-plus houses have been burnt,” he told ANI on Monday. “We are doing our best [to restore normalcy]...both communities are very positive. It has happened just because of a few individuals.”

Following the fresh violence that erupted late on Monday, the state government ordered a temporary suspension of internet services in Ukhrul district with immediate effect.

An order issued by the commissioner-cum-secretary (home) said that there was apprehension that “some anti-social” elements may use social media extensively to incite tensions in the state.

The order added that recent developments in Ukhrul had caused serious disturbance, posing a threat to public safety and peace. It said that internet services would be suspended in the district for five days as a preventive and precautionary measure from 11.30 am on Tuesday.

A curfew was also imposed in parts of the district.

On Tuesday, the police also flagged a “minor fire incident” in a village near Litan Sareikhong village.

“A minor fire incident occurred at around 12.10 am in K Lungwiram village, causing partial damage to a residential house,” the police said on social media. “Security forces from the nearby area promptly reached the spot and brought the fire under control.”

The police added that the fire was under investigation and the situation was under control.

The statement said that the Konsaram Village Authority had condemned the incident and appealed to the Centre and state government for immediate security deployment, relief measures and firm action to restore law and order.

The police said that officials had reached out to the villagers and assured them of peace and tranquillity in the area.

“Rumours circulating on social media claiming that Konshakhul residents fled to Kanto Sabal after the Litan incident have been found to be false,” the police added. “No villagers have moved out, except for a few students and families who have sought temporary rental accommodation due to the start of the new school session.”

The police urged the public not to “believe or spread false rumours”.