Litan still volatile : Govindas

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 9: The present situation at Litan, Ukhrul district is very volatile and tension is running high between Tangkhul and Kuki communities but the Government has been working to control the situation, said Cabinet Minister Govindas Konthoujam.
A press conference was held today at Thambal Shanglen (BJP office) where Govindas Konthoujam briefed the media on the Union Budget 2026.
On being enquired about the situation at Litan and the Government’s response to the situation, Govindas said that the ground situation is still very volatile and the tension between the two communities has not eased.
He said that Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, a few MLAs, villagers and leaders of both the communities held a meeting at Litan today.
There were reports that some disagreements or difference of opinion surfaced during the meeting and a particular community went out of the meeting. Soon after, some houses were set on fire, he said.
Soon after getting information about the rising tension between the two communities, the State Government has been working to control the situation and additional security forces were sent to Litan yesterday itself, Govindas said.
He said that more security forces have been sent to Litan to prevent any further unwanted incidents. Asserting that all the communities living together in Manipur since centuries can never be separated, Govindas appealed to all communities to exercise restraint and work for peace collectively. He said that violence will never bring anything positive.
On being questioned about Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand’s announcement that people of all communities can move freely in Imphal and the State Government will take responsibility for the safety of people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community while the Meiteis are denied free movement on National Highways, Govindas cited Newton’s third law of motion, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”.    
When Kuki-Zo people are treated with warmth at Imphal, they will treat Meiteis in the same manner when Meiteis travel on National Highways, he said.
Govindas said that it’s time to forget all the ugly and untoward incidents of the past. Saying that many Meitei drivers have started plying on National Highways, the Cabinet Minister called upon all the communities to work collectively towards restoring complete peace in the State.