Guwahati: Militants open fire in Senakethei village in Ukhrul district of Manipur on the intervening night of April 29. Seeing danger, the villagers switched off every light in their homes and sat in the dark, waiting for the gunfire to stop. A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation bluntly: “Situation has turned extremely volatile at Senakeithei in Ukhrul District. The village came under attack by militants. Villagers switch off the lights to evade the attack.” It was not a random eruption of violence in an otherwise calm region. It was the latest chapter in a story that has been bleeding Manipur for nearly two years — and shows no signs of ending.
Before Wednesday’s attack on Senakeithei, it had already delivered its own blow. In the Mullam village area under Litan police station — just days earlier — a heavy exchange of fire left three people dead and several others wounded. Haolai and Sitlhou, two of the Kuki community and Jamang, Tangkhul Naga were killed in gunfights between Naga and Kuki militants. Prior to this, two Naga people including one ex-army personal was killed by sniper attacks of Kuki militants. Security forces have intensified operations across the surrounding regions, moving to apprehend those involved and prevent the situation from spiralling further. A police official in Imphal confirmed that security measures had been tightened, with operations ongoing across the area.
Ukhrul is not just any district in Manipur’s complex map of ethnic territories. It sits at a uniquely sensitive intersection — sharing an inter-state border with Nagaland on one side and an international border with Myanmar on the other. It is predominantly inhabited by the Tangkhul Naga community, a people with their own distinct political aspirations, cultural identity, and historical relationship with the Indian state. That such a district — already navigating multiple layers of complexity — is now convulsed by fresh militant attacks speaks to how far the roots of the current crisis have spread beyond the original flashpoints of 2023.
The violence in Ukhrul is not happening in isolation. Across Manipur’s valley districts, protests have been erupting almost daily since April 7 — triggered by a mortar shell attack by Kuki militants in a Meitei village in Awang Leikai near Moirang in Bishnupur district killing two innocent children.
More than 260 people have been killed. Over 1,500 have been injured. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes — living in relief camps, in relatives’ houses, in whatever shelter they could find — unable to return to villages that may no longer exist as they once knew them.
Assam Rifles top officials meet Naga leaders
Assam Rifles held an interaction with a delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC) led by its President NG Lorho, at Jawalamukhi Garrison, Liarouching in Senapati district of Manipur on 28 Apr 2026.
The interaction was focused on the prevailing security situation in the region amid ongoing tensions in the Ukhrul area. Both sides exchanged views on issues concerning peace, stability and the well-being of local communities.
Assam Rifles reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security, ensuring safety of all communities and fostering an environment conducive to dialogue and harmony.
The interaction concluded on a positive note with a shared resolve to promote mutual understanding, prevent escalation of tensions and work towards lasting peace and normalcy in the region.
