Internet suspended in Manipur's Ukhrul after firing, arson incidents

Guwahati: The Manipur government on Tuesday suspended internet services in Ukhrul amid incidents of firing and arson, as the hill district became the first Naga-dominated area to witness ethnic violence that started nearly three years ago in the state.

A police official said incidents of firing and arson were reported from Litan Sareikhong village, a day after two Tangkhul Naga organisations restricted the movement of Kuki people in Ukhrul and neighbouring Kamjong districts. Some armed men set ablaze more than eight houses, mostly abandoned, and fired several rounds at Litan Sareikhong, the official said.

With this, more than 30 houses and other properties have been burnt in the village in the 48 hours through Tuesday afternoon, following alleged assault of a Tangkhul Naga community member by Kuki community members. After reviewing the prevailing situation, the government decided to suspend internet and data services, including broadband, VPN and VSAT services, in Ukhrul district for five days as a preventive and precautionary measure, commissioner-cum-secretary (home) N Ashok Kumar said in a notification.


In a post on X on Tuesday, the Manipur Police said a minor fire incident occurred after midnight in K Lungwiram village, causing partial damage to a residential house. "The cause of the fire is under investigation," the post read.

The Congress demanded immediate steps to restore peace and prevent further escalation of violence. Continuation of violence in Manipur even after the formation of a new government raises concerns about the administration's failure to maintain law and order, Congress legislature party leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh said.