Manipur district issued prohibitory orders over Kuki-Naga tension

Administration of Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Sunday (February 8, 2026) imposed prohibitory orders in Litan area of the district “until further notice”, following tension between Naga and Kuki-Zo villagers over an assault case.

District Magistrate Asish Das said the restrictions, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, were imposed on apprehension of breach of peace and public tranquillity in the area. The restrictions came into force from 7 p.m. on Sunday (February 8, 2026).

The district administration also requisitioned the services of the Army and paramilitary forces, including the Assam Rifles, as a preventive measure.

According to reports, a Kuki-Zo group allegedly assaulted a Tangkhul Naga man at Litan on Saturday (February 7, 2026) night. The situation turned tense on Sunday (February 8, 2026) afternoon when Naga villagers approached the chief of a Kuki village and asked him to produce the culprits before them.

The district authorities stepped in after people in several Naga villages called for action against those who thrashed the Naga man.

Earlier, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) issued a statement saying that the “incident originated from a minor altercation involving a few intoxicated individuals from both villages”. It also said that the matter was being addressed peacefully and customarily through the established authority of the Litan Sareikhong village “in consultation with the family of the injured person”.

The Katho Katamnao Long (KKL), a Tangkhul students’ organisation, asked the KSO to retract the statement as “no such step had been taken to rectify the situation”.

The KKL said Sterling, a Tangkhul youth, was beaten up after he switched on his torch after hearing some voices in the dark. It said the group of people, who turned out to be from Kuki-Zo community, beat him up grievously “on the pretext that the light fell on their faces”.

Both organisations, however, have appealed for communal harmony.