Imphal: Manipur witnessed another flare-up of violence on July 11, 2026, after suspected Kuki militants set fire to several abandoned Meitei houses in Kanto Sabal, located in the Leimakhong area of Imphal West district. “Around 200 Kuki militants marched towards the village and torched several abandoned Meitei houses in the village”, an eyewitness said.
Manipur police said that after the incident a crowd of nearly 600 people tried to march towards Kanto Sabal in the late afternoon. Security forces stepped in quickly and managed to stop what could have turned into a serious communal clash between the two communities. “Attempts by miscreants to set fire to abandoned houses were also swiftly contained, ensuring no loss of life”, a police official said.
The miscreants also attempted to torch the abandoned houses, but security personnel acted fast enough to contain the fire before it could cause any loss of life. A case has been registered in connection with the incident, and further investigation is underway. Authorities have reiterated that security forces remain committed to maintaining peace and law and order in the region.
Thokchom Rebubala Devi, a resident of Kanto Sabal, described the events to reporters. She said that around noon on July 11, more than 200 Kuki individuals held a rally and moved towards parts of Kanto Sabal that had been designated as restricted for the Meitei community. According to her, the group came down from the nearby hills into the valley and began setting fire to houses that had been left empty.
She said the group left the area soon after starting the fires. When local Meitei residents saw the houses burning, they tried to rush toward the site, but security forces stopped them from getting closer, likely to prevent the situation from escalating further. Locals in the area report that a total of four abandoned Meitei houses were burnt down in the incident.
Videos circulating from the area show the houses in Kanto Sabal engulfed in flames, allegedly set by Kuki miscreants. The provocation acts by the miscreants will further escalate the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur. As of now security forces are on high alert to prevent further escalation of tension in Imphal West district. Heavy deployment of security forces have been done in the affected areas to maintain law and order situation.
