Imphal, Feb 10 (NationPress) In light of renewed violence in Manipur's Ukhrul, the state administration has decided to suspend internet services in the hill district for a duration of five days, as reported by police officials.

An official stated that new instances of firing and arson occurred in Litan Sareikhong village, just a day after two Tangkhul Naga groups imposed restrictions on the movement of Kuki individuals in Ukhrul and adjacent Kamjong districts.

According to reports, armed individuals set fire to over eight mostly abandoned homes and discharged several rounds in Litan Sareikhong village.

This incident has escalated the total number of houses burned to over 30, alongside other property damages in the village, following an alleged attack on a member of the Tangkhul Naga community by Kuki individuals.

The atmosphere in the hilly terrain remains charged, with security forces working diligently to stabilize the situation. Additional security personnel, inclusive of central paramilitary forces, have been dispatched to sensitive locales, as stated by a police officer.

In a notification released on Tuesday, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N. Ashok Kumar emphasized that the unstable law and order situation in Ukhrul poses a significant risk that anti-social actors might exploit social media to disseminate incendiary images, posts, and videos, potentially inciting public unrest.

After assessing the current scenario and its link to internet operations, the state government resolved to temporarily halt all internet and data services, including broadband, VPN, and VSAT in Ukhrul district for five days as a preventative measure, the notification highlighted.

Manipur Police shared that a number of homes were destroyed by miscreants the previous night in the villages surrounding Litan Sareikhong.

Preventative actions, such as imposing a curfew and deploying adequate security forces to the affected regions, have been initiated to avert a further rise in violence.

Despite the prevailing tension, the situation has largely been brought under control, with a joint control room established at the Litan Police station to oversee and implement immediate security measures and facilitate information sharing among the deployed forces.

Senior officials are stationed in the Litan village area, closely observing the developments on the ground, as per the police statement.

In the meantime, the opposition Congress party has called for urgent measures to restore calm and prevent any further escalation.

Congress Legislature Party leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh expressed alarm over the situation in Litan village, as fresh violence flares up between the two communities.

“When peace and mutual understanding are critically needed, such occurrences only deepen societal fear and uncertainty,” he stated.

Meghachandra Singh condemned the ongoing violence in Manipur even after a new government has taken office, labeling it both shameful and concerning regarding the failure to uphold law and order.

The destruction of homes overnight in the Litan region—belonging to both Naga and Kuki-Zo communities—underlines the precarious nature of the situation. Violence recognizes no boundaries between communities; it solely devastates lives, homes, and our collective future,” he urged the government to take decisive actions to restore peace and safeguard citizens.

On Sunday evening, Naga and Kuki tribal factions engaged in intense stone-pelting at Litan village, prompting the district administration to enforce prohibitory orders. Security forces deployed tear gas shells to disperse the confrontational crowds.

Ukhrul District Magistrate Asish Das, while implementing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, stated that reliable sources indicated a potential breach of peace between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities in Litan village.

The order restricts the movement of people outside their homes and prohibits activities that could disrupt law and order until further notice.

Manipur's Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, a Naga leader, has been residing in the troubled area since Sunday, holding discussions with local residents to ease tensions. He also met with leaders of the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC) and the Joint Tribes Council (JTC) at his residence in Lamphel, alongside senior BJP leader L. Newmai.

An emergency meeting occurred on Monday with local residents at the Litan Police Station to restore normalcy. The Tangkhul tribe is the largest Naga group in Manipur, while Litan Sareikhong village is predominantly populated by the Kuki community.