Fresh tension arose in Manipur’s Imphal West district when miscreants set fire to houses owned by the Meitei community in the Kanto Sabal area, escalating the already volatile situation. Following the arson, a group of around 600 individuals tried to move towards Kanto Sabal, but security forces intervened promptly, preventing a potential clash. Efforts to ignite more abandoned houses were also swiftly controlled, avoiding any casualties.
The incident led to panic in the area, prompting Meitei and Naga community members to gather near Kanto Sabal to help douse the flames. Despite allegations from locals that security forces did not adequately protect the houses from suspected Kuki miscreants, law enforcement registered a case and initiated further investigations. The region saw a significant deployment of Central security forces to maintain peace and order.
The locality, bordering the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, has been a sensitive area due to its security implications. The incident, which occurred in an area affected by ethnic violence since May 2023, attracted a large number of people from nearby areas, leading to a confrontation with security personnel. Despite the tense situation, security forces remained vigilant to prevent any escalation of violence.
