Kuki residents allege that their movement was restricted while homes were torched near Litan Police Station, accusing security forces of failing to intervene despite heavy deployment.
BY PC Bureau
February 12, 2026: Fresh allegations of arson and restricted civilian movement have surfaced from Litan Sareikhong village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, raising fears of a renewed flare-up in the ongoing localized conflict between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki-Zo communities.
Social media posts and videos circulated by Kuki community accounts claim that Kuki homes near Litan Police Station were set ablaze earlier today, while security forces allegedly blocked Kuki residents at Mongkot Chepu village, preventing them from reaching or protecting their properties. The videos appear to show smoke billowing from burning structures and security personnel restricting movement in the area. These claims, however, remain unverified by state authorities as of the latest updates.
The current round of unrest traces its origins to February 7, when a minor altercation involving intoxicated individuals reportedly led to the assault of a Tangkhul Naga man. The incident quickly escalated into retaliatory violence, triggering a cycle of arson and displacement.
February 8–9:
Initial attacks saw widespread arson in and around Litan Sareikhong — a Kuki-Zo pocket in Naga-dominated Ukhrul district. Media reports and local sources indicate that 20 to over 40 houses, along with several vehicles and government quarters, were torched, affecting properties belonging to both communities.
February 10:
The violence intensified with reports of fresh firing and additional arson, with some accounts citing up to 23 more houses burned. Families from nearby villages, including Yaolen, Patleijao, Mongkot Chepu, and surrounding hamlets, were forced to flee, seeking shelter in safer areas.
February 12:
Latest allegations suggest renewed arson activity and selective movement restrictions, though official confirmation remains pending.
In response to the escalating tensions, authorities have imposed:
Prohibitory orders across sensitive zones
Suspension of internet services in Ukhrul and adjoining areas to curb misinformation
Heavy deployment of security forces, including Assam Rifles (Spear Corps) and Manipur Police
Senior officials, including the Deputy Chief Minister and local MLAs representing both communities, held emergency meetings at Litan Police Station earlier this week in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Peace outreach efforts are also underway. Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing visited relief camps housing displaced families, while village elders, church leaders, and civil society groups have issued appeals for restraint and resolution through customary mechanisms.
Manipur : Litan📍
12 Feb 2026Security Forces blocked Kuki residents at Mongkot Chepu village while Tangkhul militants burned Kuki houses this morning at around 7am.
What is the purpose of deploying @official_dgar if Kuki houses continue to be burned despite their presence? pic.twitter.com/CDTl0FElak
— Neng Khongsai KUKI (@KhongsaiChanu) February 12, 2026
READ: NSCN Raises Fears of Retaliation, Alleges Nexus Between Forces and Kuki Militants
Community Allegations and Unverified Claims
Kuki community groups on X (formerly Twitter) have accused security forces of selectively restricting Kuki movement while failing to intervene in alleged arson, with some posts even alleging the involvement of armed groups — claims that remain unverified. Multiple posts have tagged national media outlets and senior security officials, including @official_dgar, seeking accountability and intervention.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement confirming or denying the latest allegations.
The violence in Litan Sareikhong is distinct from, but occurring amid, the broader Meitei–Kuki ethnic conflict that has gripped Manipur since May 2023, displacing over 60,000 people and claiming hundreds of lives statewide.
The renewed unrest underscores the extreme fragility of peace in Manipur’s hill districts, where historical grievances, land disputes, and ethnic fault lines can rapidly transform localized incidents into humanitarian crises.
As families continue to flee affected villages, civil society groups are urging impartial security intervention, transparent investigations, and sustained dialogue to prevent further cycles of retaliation.
The situation remains tense, with updates emerging in real time.
