Home News Kuki Mob Set Ablaze Six Meetei Houses in Kanto Sabal as Fresh Tension Grips Manipur
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Kuki Mob Set Ablaze Six Meetei Houses in Kanto Sabal as Fresh Tension Grips Manipur

by NE Dispatch - Jul 11, 2026 07:05 PM

At least six Meetei houses were set on fire in Kanto Sabal in Imphal West on Saturday as fresh tension erupted in Manipur. Security forces used tear gas to disperse a crowd after hundreds attempted to advance towards the area.

Kuki Mob Set Ablaze Three Meetei Houses

Imphal, July 11: Fresh tension erupted along the Imphal West–Kangpokpi border on Saturday after at least six houses belonging to members of the Meetei community were set on fire near Kanto Sabal, prompting a major security operation to prevent further violence. According to the Manipur Police, a large mob attempted to move towards Kanto Sabal, leading security forces to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating into a communal clash.

In a statement posted on X, the police said, "On 11th July 2026, a mob of approximately 600 individuals attempted to advance towards Kanto Sabal. The Security Forces intervened promptly and prevented a potential communal clash. Attempt by miscreants to set fire to abandoned houses was also swiftly contained, ensuring no loss of life. A case has been registered in this regard and further action is ongoing. Security Force stands committed to maintaining peace, law & order."

Officials stated that although the abandoned houses caught fire, the blaze was brought under control without any fatalities. A criminal case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the arson.

As tensions intensified, security personnel deployed along both the Leimakhong and Kanto Sabal sides fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the advancing crowd and restore order. Several people sustained injuries during the security operation, though authorities have not released the exact number of those injured.

Additional security personnel and fire tenders were rushed to the area to extinguish the flames and prevent the unrest from spreading further. Those injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Local residents said they had been on alert since the morning after receiving information that members of the Kuki community were expected to march from the Leimakhong side towards Kanto Sabal. Many villagers were working in nearby paddy fields as the paddy cultivation season is currently underway.

"At around 1:30 pm, we first noticed smoke and thought protesters were burning tyres. Later, we realised the smoke was coming from abandoned houses that had been set on fire," a resident of the area recalled.

Sekmai MLA Heikham Dingo strongly condemned the incident, alleging negligence on the part of the Army. He claimed the houses that were set on fire were located very close to the Leimakhong military station and questioned how the arson could have taken place despite the heavy security presence in the area.

The legislator also stated that there were reports suggesting three alleged arsonists had been arrested in connection with the incident. However, there was no official confirmation of the arrests from the police or security agencies at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, one of the affected residents, whose abandoned house was among those destroyed in the fire, alleged that Army personnel prevented villagers from entering the area while the houses were burning.

"We repeatedly requested them to either allow us to go in and save our houses or stop those setting them on fire. They kept assuring us that nothing would happen but did not intervene. We were allowed to enter only after the entire incident was over," the resident claimed.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh strongly condemned the arson incident at Kanto Sabal village in Imphal West district, stating that the government had acted swiftly to bring the situation under control.

The Chief Minister announced that two accused persons, including Kammang Lhouvum, Chief of Hengjang Village and Chairman of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee (LAPC), had been arrested for their alleged involvement in the arson and mob violence.

He said the government was closely monitoring the situation and had deployed the Manipur Police along with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the affected area to contain any further unrest. He added that all security forces stationed in the area had been instructed to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

Shri Khemchand Singh also expressed concern that the violence had broken out after a prolonged period of relative peace in the state. He described the incident as an attempt to derail the ongoing peace process.

"This incident underscores the presence of certain elements who, driven by vested interests, are actively working against the peace efforts," the Chief Minister stated.

Meanwhile, in a subsequent post on X, the Manipur Police confirmed the arrest of two individuals in connection with the case registered over the mob disturbance and the attempt to set fire to abandoned houses at Kanto Sabal.

The police identified the arrested persons as Kammang Lhouvum (65), Chief of Hengjang Village and Chairman of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee (LAPC), and Pagin Hangshing (30), a resident of Khunkho Kuki Village.

According to the police, the arrests were carried out by joint teams of the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Army. The police added that efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the incident.

The latest violence comes just a week after hundreds of Kuki protesters marched towards Kanto Sabal, a Meetei-majority village, demanding the removal of a checkpoint jointly erected by members of the Naga and Meetei communities. The Kuki protesters also blocked school transports preventing students from non-Kuki community attending classes at the Kendriya Vidyalaya located inside the Leimakhong Military Station compound.

The protest was linked to the ongoing economic blockade imposed by Naga groups. Protesters had alleged that the blockade had severely disrupted the supply of food grains, medicines and other essential commodities to Kangpokpi district.

Saturday's incident has further heightened tensions in the sensitive border area, where security forces continue to maintain a strong presence to prevent any further escalation.

Police reiterated that investigations into the arson are continuing and maintained that security forces remain committed to preserving peace and law and order in the region.

This is a developing story and further updates are awaited.

Tags:
Manipur Police Law & Order Manipur violence Manipur Manipur Conflict Conflict and Security Kanto Sabal violence Meitei houses set on fire
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