Violence Erupts in Manipur's Ukhrul District Amid Ongoing Tensions

Recent violence in Manipur's Ukhrul district has left at least one person injured after armed individuals opened fire on farmers. The Kuki community condemned the attack as a targeted assault on civilians, while the Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation disputed these claims, alleging that the victims were involved in military-related activities. As tensions rise, authorities have yet to provide clarity on the situation, highlighting the fragile security landscape in the region. This incident underscores the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for intervention to ensure civilian safety.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 23, 2026, 18:31 IST

Incident Overview

Imphal, March 23: New reports of violence have emerged from the Ukhrul district in Manipur, where unidentified armed individuals allegedly opened fire on farmers in the Litan area, resulting in at least one injury.

The shooting took place around 1 PM at the Langthai Mol farmlands located in Mongkot Chepu village.

Local residents indicated that the gunfire came from elevated positions nearby, causing panic and prompting many to flee the area.

A young woman from the Kuki community was reported to have sustained a bullet wound, although her condition was not officially confirmed at the time of this report.

Community Response

The Kuki Civil Society Organization (CSO) Working Committee in Ukhrul expressed strong condemnation of the incident, labeling it a deliberate attack on civilians.

“We unequivocally denounce this cowardly and unprovoked armed assault on innocent villagers of Mongkot Chepu,” the committee stated, noting that the victims, including women, were engaged in their regular farming activities when they were subjected to “indiscriminate and targeted gunfire.”

They further claimed that over 20 villagers were trapped in the fields during the shooting, describing the event as “a grave and inhumane act” and a direct attack on civilian life and dignity.

The committee called for immediate action from authorities to stop the gunfire, rescue those stranded, secure the Ukhrul highway, and conduct operations to disarm the attackers.

Contrasting Accounts

In contrast, the Central Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation (TNFO) dismissed these allegations as “misleading” and provided an alternative perspective on the events.

According to the TNFO, the activities in the area involved Kuki volunteers constructing drains and bunkers, allegedly under the guidance of militants as part of a Suspension of Operations agreement.

They contested the assertion that those present were solely engaged in agricultural work, stating, “It was not purely agricultural activity as claimed. Individuals were constructing bunkers above National Highway-202, from where attacks on Tangkhul Nagas have occurred.”

The TNFO also warned against the spread of “conflicting and unverified narratives,” cautioning that such claims could heighten tensions in an already volatile environment.

Ongoing Concerns

A video circulating on social media purportedly shows a man claiming that the gunfire originated from a bunker near a village inhabited by Tangkhul Nagas. However, the authenticity of this video has not been independently verified.

Authorities have yet to release a comprehensive statement, and there is no official confirmation regarding the identities of those involved or the exact sequence of events.

This incident highlights the precarious security situation in the Ukhrul foothills, where tensions remain elevated amid conflicting claims and ongoing concerns for civilian safety.