Fresh tension gripped parts of Ukhrul district on Wednesday morning after at least 20 individuals travelling from Ukhrul were reportedly detained at Shangkai.
According to preliminary reports, one passenger vehicle heading towards Imphal and two private vehicles were forcibly stopped at Shangkai village along National Highway 202. Among those detained was a marriage party travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul.
Sources said the passengers were taken towards the Shangkai Church and their mobile phones were allegedly confiscated, causing concern among family members who were unable to contact them. The incident reportedly occurred despite heavy deployment of security forces in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, reports of a gunfight have also emerged from Thoyee village, though details of the exchange of fire remain unclear.
Following the arson incident at Litan on February 8, the situation in the hill district has remained tense.
The Shangkai Village Authority strongly condemned the incident at Thowai Kuki Village and alleged that Tangkhul volunteers had opened fire on cultivators working in the fields.
According to the village authority, several villagers were detained following the incident, and many remain in custody. It also alleged that several jhum huts belonging to villagers were set on fire by Tangkhul volunteers.
In another incident, two individuals who had gone to repair a water pipeline were allegedly fired upon by Tangkhul volunteers. Both persons remain missing and their whereabouts are still unknown.
The village authority further stated that one resident of Thowai Kuki Village sustained a bullet injury to his leg during the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Amid growing concern for the safety of those detained and missing, members of the public reportedly stopped vehicles plying along the Ukhrul road, demanding the immediate release of the detained villagers and clarification regarding those missing.
The Shangkai Village Authority appealed to the government and concerned authorities to urgently intervene and ensure the safety and release of the detained villagers while also locating the missing individuals at the earliest. It also urged authorities to take immediate steps to prevent further escalation and restore peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed deep concern over the situation along the Ukhrul–Imphal road, where innocent civilians were reportedly held captive in an area under Litan Police Station.
The Chief Minister appealed to those responsible to uphold humanitarian values and ensure the safe and unconditional release of all civilians at the earliest. He assured the families of the victims and the public that the government was treating the matter seriously and would take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice.
He further reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring the safety of every citizen of Manipur.
Khemchand Singh has directed senior police and administrative officials to closely monitor the situation and coordinate efforts to secure the safe release of the civilians. He also appealed to civil society organisations and stakeholders to help calm the situation.
The Chief Minister warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for unlawful acts and urged all groups to refrain from violence.
