Litan brawl triggers major confrontations

Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Feb 8 : Tension gripped Litan on the Imphal-Ukhrul road after a man from the Tangkhul community and another from the kuki community got into a fisticuff last night around 8.30 at Litan Sareikhong. Reports coming in said that another 5/6 persons joined in and assaulted the Tangkhul man.
The injured person has been identified as AS Sterling, son of Late AS Paoshim of Sarkaphung village.
Following the incident, the brother and sister of the injured individual approached the chief of Litan Sareikhong, Hemkhothang Baite to report the matter.
Both parties agreed to resolve the issue through customary means, and a meeting was scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026.
However, credible sources indicated that the meeting did not take place as the injured person’s family failed to attend.
Instead, a group of youths from Sarkaphung allegedly launched a violent attack on the residence of the Litan Sareikhong chief, said the village authority of Litan Sareikhong.
The Litan police swiftly intervened to stop the attack.
As the villagers of Sarkaphung retreated, they reportedly fired several rounds of bullets while passing near the Litan police station, creating fear and panic in the otherwise peaceful town.
Later in the evening, armed Kukis also joined and started firing in the air. Sounds of funfire could be heard clearly, the video footage of which has gone viral on the social media. An FIR has been lodged.
The village authority of Litan Sareikhong has condemned the violence and called on the public to uphold peace and harmony.
In a statement, the village authority urged all parties not to communalize what was originally a minor altercation between a few intoxicated individuals. The village authority, reaffirming its commitment to resolving the dispute through dialogue, customary practices, and lawful means, has called for calm and communal harmony in the village.