Imphal, February 10 In a fresh round of violence over the alleged assault of a member of the Tangkhul Naga community in Manipur's Ukhrul, several abandoned houses were set on fire and shots were fired on Tuesday morning, prompting the state government to suspend internet services in the district for five days, police said.
The fresh firing and arson in the Litan Sareikhong area came a day after two Tangkhul Naga organizations restricted the movement of Kukis in the Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
"Armed men set fire to abandoned houses and fired several rounds of bullets at Litan Sareikhong. The situation remains tense, and security forces are trying to bring the situation under control," a police officer said.
The Manipur government ordered the suspension of internet services, including those through broadband, VPN, and VSAT, in the revenue jurisdiction of the Ukhrul district for five days as a preventive measure, he said.
Locals, who had fled their residences, confronted security forces for their alleged failure to stop the firing in the area.
A video clip that went viral on social media shows thick smoke engulfing the hill area.
Hundreds of Kuki and Tangkhul Naga villagers, mostly women, children, and elderly persons, have been fleeing the Litan Sareikhong and neighboring Kuki villages to safe places in the Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts, another official said.
"Several villagers have taken shelter at Motbung and parts of Saikul in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district," he said.
Manipur Minister Govindas Konthoujam had on Monday said that at least 21 houses had been burnt and the situation remained tense.
He also said that additional security forces were deployed in the area to control the situation.
Meanwhile, two drivers, who were stranded at Lamlai Chingphei Kuki village under the Litan Police Station limits after their trucks broke down, were rescued on Monday, another police officer said.
Two Tangkhul Naga organizations, Katho Long and Katho Katamnao Long, have banned the movement of Kukis in Ukhrul and the adjoining Kamjong district.
