KSO Leader Blames Alcohol-Fueled Brawl, Rejects Communal Narrative in Ukhrul Incident
The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Ukhrul district, on February 10 dismissed claims that the recent violence in Litan village was communal in nature, stating that the incident originated from a minor altercation between a few intoxicated individuals and was later misrepresented, escalating tensions.
KSO Ukhrul vice president Mercy Khongsai said the episode began as a small scuffle involving three or four drunk men and was wrongly projected as a clash between two communities.
“It is not a communal thing at all. However, some anti-social elements or people with such a mindset are trying to portray it as a communal issue,” she said, expressing concern over how the situation spiralled despite efforts to defuse tensions.
Khongsai further stated that a meeting was convened on Monday between representatives of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and the Deputy Chief Minister in an attempt to resolve the matter.
“Unfortunately, we could not arrive at any understanding. It is very disheartening that immediately after the meeting, some Tangkhul people started burning three or four houses,” she alleged, adding that what began as a small fight turned “very ugly” due to misinterpretation and deliberate escalation.
Eyewitness accounts from the affected village echoed similar concerns. Hegin Baite, a resident of Litan village, said the initial quarrel involved intoxicated individuals and was expected to subside.
“We thought it was a small matter and peace would prevail. But they escalated the issue and attacked us with stones. They even burnt our house,” Baite said.
Describing the chaos that followed, Baite said his family fled the village at night for safety.
“We had to cross the river with our family at night. We did not start this,” he said, maintaining that the violence was not initiated by his community.
The incident has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in parts of Manipur, where local disputes risk being framed along communal lines, complicating reconciliation efforts.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to maintain peace.
