Clash bid in Manipur foiled by security forces: Police

Security personnel deployed at Kanto Sabal in Imphal on Saturday, July 11, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI

Ethnic conflict-ridden Manipur came close to a “communal clash” on Saturday (July 11, 2026) when a mob, said to be from the Kuki-dominated hill district of Kangpokpi, tried to descend on a village of mostly abandoned houses in the Meitei-majority Imphal West district.

A combined team of security forces foiled a bid by about 600 individuals to advance towards the Kanto Sabal area, which is in the “buffer zone” between Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts, Manipur police said.

A mob of “600 to 700” tried to target an “illegal block” set up by “another community”, the Indian Army said in a separate statement.

“Security forces immediately intervened and prevented a potential clash in the community,” police posted on the X social media platform, adding that the miscreants’ attempt to set the abandoned houses on fire was quickly contained.

Locals claimed the mob managed to burn down at least three abandoned houses before security forces pushed its members back.

Meitei and Naga residents of the Imphal Valley tried to go to the spot, but the security forces reportedly prevented them from proceeding by using force.

This was the first case of ethnic conflict in Manipur, which had spilled into the hills between Kukis and Nagas after an alleged drunken brawl in February and threatened to scorch the Imphal Valley after more than four months. The conflict began in May 2023 between the Kuki-Zo and the Meiteis.

Justice promised

Earlier, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that the state government was taking all necessary steps to ensure justice for the families of the six Liangmai Nagas who were abducted and killed. The six were from Leilon Vaiphei Village in Kangpokpi District.

Family members of the victims identified five people allegedly involved in the incident and two suspects were arrested on Friday (July 10, 2026), Mr Singh told reporters in the state capital Imphal.

“It is the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies to arrest all those involved. Necessary instructions have been issued in this regard,” he said.

The chain of violence in Manipur began on May 13 when unidentified gunmen ambushed and killed three church leaders in Kangpokpi district. A few hours later, 28 Kukis and 20 Nagas, including 18 from Leilon Vaiphei, were abducted from different parts of the state.

On May 15, Kukis and Nagas released 14 members of their communities. The remaining 14 Kukis were released by the Nagas on 9 June.

The following day, security forces recovered the mutilated bodies of six missing Nagas from Kangpokpi district. The recovery of the bodies sparked violence in Naga-dominated Senapati district, where Naga and Meitei organizations sought revenge against the killers of the Naga hostages.

Published – 11 Jul 2026 22:02 IST