. The clash, which lasted nearly eight hours, has intensified fears in Ukhrul district, where tensions have been simmering for months following earlier incidents of violence.
BY PC Bureau
April 28, 2026 — Violence flared once again in Ukhrul district on Tuesday as a day-long gunfight between rival armed groups in Ringui village left at least three people injured, underscoring the fragile security situation in the region.
Police said the exchange of fire began around 10:30 am under the jurisdiction of Luichong Maiphei police station and continued until nearly 6 pm. The clash reportedly involved suspected village volunteers from the Tangkhul Naga community and Kuki community.
The injured, all identified as Tangkhul Naga village volunteers, were evacuated to the district hospital in Ukhrul, where they are undergoing treatment.
Ringui village, located about 36 km west of Ukhrul town, is predominantly inhabited by Tangkhul Nagas and lies along a key route connecting the district to Kohima.
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Backdrop of Rising Violence
The latest gunfight comes amid a steady escalation of tensions in Ukhrul district, which has witnessed repeated clashes since February. What began as a localised altercation between youths from the two communities spiralled into widespread violence, resulting in the burning of over 50 houses, including government buildings.
Subsequent incidents have deepened the crisis. On April 18, two Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed in an ambush while travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul, allegedly by suspected Kuki militants. On April 24, three armed individuals—two Kuki and one Tangkhul Naga—were killed in another gunfight at Sinakeithei village.
Conflicting Narratives
Following the latest clash, the Ringui Village Protection Committee condemned what it termed an “unprovoked attack” by suspected Kuki militants, including those allegedly operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement. The group claimed Naga village guards were targeted while monitoring the Ringui Horei area, triggering panic among residents.
The committee warned that repeated violence has left civilians—especially women, children, and the elderly—living in constant fear of stray bullets, displacement, and destruction of property.
However, the Kuki CSO Working Committee presented a contrasting account, stating that Kuki village volunteers were patrolling shared cultivation areas along the Kampa Mol ridges when they encountered Tangkhul militants in a disputed zone, leading to the gunfight.
While expressing a preference for peace, the Kuki body asserted that defending their land and people remains “non-negotiable.”
With both sides standing firm and incidents of violence recurring, the situation in Ukhrul remains volatile. The latest gunfight highlights the deepening mistrust between communities and raises fresh concerns about the prospects for stability in the region.
