51 Kuki students evacuated from Ukhrul after tensions flared between the Tangkhul Naga tribe and the Kuki community in Manipur’s Naga-majority district, prompting authorities to act swiftly to ensure their safety.
The evacuation took place at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Ramva School in Ukhrul district, where police moved 51 students as a precautionary measure amid a deteriorating law and order situation. The development comes as fresh clashes between the two communities led to the burning of around 30 houses in the Litan Sareikhong area over the past week.
Police said the situation, though under control, remained sensitive, necessitating the safe relocation of the students to prevent any untoward incidents.
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Students Shifted to Kangpokpi District
According to a statement issued on Monday, Ukhrul District Police evacuated 31 male and 20 female students from JNV Ramva School and handed them over to a team from Saikul police station for onward transfer to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Kangpokpi district, which has a Kuki-majority population.
Authorities clarified that the evacuation was purely precautionary and aimed at safeguarding the students amid prevailing tensions.
During the operation, some local residents initially mistook the students for miscreants. However, local civil society organisations intervened and assisted the administration in calming the situation.
Civil Society Groups Help Ensure Safe Evacuation
Police acknowledged the role of civil society groups in facilitating the smooth evacuation process. Community leaders helped persuade villagers in the Shangshak, Ramva, Shokvao, TM Kasom and S Laho areas, ensuring that the students were transported safely without incident.
Officials also urged all communities to maintain restraint and avoid spreading rumours that could aggravate the situation.
Clashes Sparked by February 7 Incident
The latest violence between the Kukis and the Nagas reportedly began after a drunken altercation between two groups on the evening of February 7 in Litan, a commercial town inhabited by both communities. The dispute escalated into wider clashes, resulting in the torching of homes and heightened tensions in the district.
Manipur’s Prolonged Ethnic Conflict
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic unrest for nearly three years, primarily involving the Meitei and Kuki communities. The violence erupted in May 2023 following a “Tribal Solidarity March” organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Since then, at least 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the prolonged conflict.
President’s Rule was imposed in the state on February 13 last year amid the continuing crisis. Earlier this month, Y Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the new Chief Minister, raising hopes of restoring stability in the violence-hit state.