3 more houses set ablaze, Tangkhul women point finger at SFs Litan continues to burn; hands of Kuki militants alleged

Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Feb 12 : Three more houses were set ablaze at Litan Sareikhong village today despite heavy deployment of security forces in the area.
The incident was followed by gunfire reportedly coming from the opposite side of the village.
However, there have been no reports of any injuries.
Meanwhile, women from Tangkhul villages staged a protest against the presence of Central security forces, demanding their immediate withdrawal from Litan Sareikhong.
The protesting women alleged that despite the heavy security presence, villagers continue to face repeated attacks involving sophisticated weapons.
According to them, suspected Kuki armed militants launched an attack on Litan Sareikhong around 7.30 am today, which reportedly lasted for nearly two hours.
The protesting women alleged that Central security personnel were shielding the armed Kuki militants.
They claimed that militants in combat attire were seen moving freely at Mongkot Chepu village with sophisticated weapons, while Tangkhul residents of Litan Sareikhong were allegedly prevented from entering their homes and were asked to vacate the area.
Sources stated that frequent gun attacks by suspected Kuki militants targeting the Tangkhul Naga community have continued despite the deployment of security forces.
More than eight columns of security personnel were stationed from the Mahadev area to Ramva in Ukhrul district.
At around 11.30 am, Tangkhul women staged a protest, alleging that Central forces were preventing villagers from returning to their homes while allowing armed militants to operate freely.
They accused the Central forces of assisting Kuki militants.
During the protest, several rounds of tear gas and smoke bombs were fired to disperse the demonstrators.
Remnants of tear gas canisters were seen at the protest site.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Ukhrul Ashish Das arrived at the scene and interacted with the protesting women.
He appealed to them to remain calm and urged dialogue to resolve the issues peacefully and restore normalcy.
The DC stated that the forces deployed in the village were there to provide security and ensure the safety of all communities.
However, the women expressed that they had lost trust in the Central forces.
They alleged that earlier in the morning, armed Kuki militants attempted to cross the Litan River to attack their village, although the situation was later brought under control.
The women reiterated that they could no longer rely on Central forces for security and demanded their removal.
The DC requested them to allow time for resolving the issues and for complete area domination and sanitisation operations to be carried out.
Meanwhile, the district administration of Ukhrul distributed immediate humanitarian relief materials to displaced persons from both communities.
Relief was provided at Leingangching village for displaced Tangkhul residents and at Mongkot Chepu for displaced Kuki residents.
The situation at Litan Sareikhong remains tense.