More houses torched on third day of Kuki-Naga violence, internet suspended in Manipur

In Manipur’s Naga-majority Ukhrul district, internet services were suspended for five days as violence between two tribal groups – Kuki-Zos and Nagas – continued for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Locals said miscreants set fire to nine to 10 houses on Tuesday morning, February 10, adding to the ongoing tension between Kuki-Zo and Naga villagers in Litan district, located between the state capital Imphal and district headquarters Ukhrul.

There were reports that armed miscreants opened fire, possibly to scare the villagers. According to officials, many villagers in the conflict zone left their homes and went to safer places.

N. Ashok Kumar, Manipur’s Home Commissioner and Secretary, issued the order to suspend “internet/data services, including broadband, VPN and services through VSAT” in Ukhrul district for five days from 11.30 am on Tuesday, February 10.

He said it was a preventive and precautionary measure given the volatile law and order situation and “concerns that some anti-social elements may misuse social media” with images, posts and videos to incite passion.

The violence, triggered by the assault incident that took place on Saturday night, February 7, 2026, continued despite the implementation of prohibitory orders under Article 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita “until further orders” and the deployment of several companies of the Central armed forces.

While Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh appealed to the two communities to maintain peace and harmony, a team of legislators led by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho visited Litan district to assess the situation. The team also held meetings with leaders of the two communities and called for moderation.

“The situation is under control on the main roads, but tension continues in inland areas that are difficult to reach,” said a district official who declined to be named.

According to the official estimate, nearly 30 houses burned on Sunday, February 8, and Monday, February 9. Several people, including a police officer, injured in the violence are receiving treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.

An attack on a Tangkhul Naga man by a group of Kuki-Zo people on Saturday night led to a local conflict. The incident went viral on Sunday afternoon when Naga villagers approached the chief of a Kuki-Zo village and demanded that the culprits be brought to book before them.

The violence disrupted road traffic between Ukhrul and the Imphal Valley, a vital alternative to the National Highways where movement is allegedly restricted by Kuki-Zo extremist groups.

The Manipur government has planned one helicopter sortie between Imphal and Ukhrul on Tuesday and two helicopter sorties on Wednesday. Officials said these are above the normal flight schedule for the convenience of the public.