Tension flares as Kukis stop Meiteis from tilling fields
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 15 2025: After months of cessation of direct confrontation, Kukis and Meiteis once again confronted each other at Pukhao Leitanpokpi Sadu Lampak, Imphal East under Sagolmang police station today.

A tense situation unfolded in the area when some Meitei farmers were stopped by a group of Kukis from tilling their own paddy fields this morning.

After taking due permission from the security personnel deployed in the area, the Meitei farmers took tractors to till their paddy fields but a large group of Kukis from Songphel village, suspected to be backed by Kuki militants staying in the nearby hill range, came down and threatened the Meitei farmers to leave the paddy fields or face dire consequences.

The Kukis armed with sticks, clubs, blunt objects and slings had the audacity to claim the paddy fields as theirs.

On getting information about the threats made by the Kukis, people from nearby areas rushed to the spot leading to a face-off between the two groups of people.

The situation grew quite tense after the Kukis started firing slingshots and pelting stones toward the Meitei farmers.

The Meitei farmers retaliated and the exchange of slingshots and pelting of stones went on till afternoon.

In their efforts to bring the situation under control, security forces fired one tear gas shell each to both the groups, and there were reports of minor injuries on both the sides.

As the confrontation escalated, Imphal East district police arrived on the spot along with additional security personnel.

Some local villagers said that they saw some armed Kuki militants returning back to their bunkers/huts built at Songphel village from the foothill.

Pointing out what they saw from the foothill, the Meitei farmers urged the security personnel gathered at the incident site (Pukhao Leitanpokpi) to carry out a massive search operation at Songphel village and arrest those persons who were holding guns.

At around 3.30 pm, a combined team of security personnel barring State police went to Songphel village and came back after around 30 minutes.

But there was no report of any arrest or recovery of arms or ammunition leaving many questioning how that could be possible.

The situation is still tense in the area.

As such, additional security measures have been taken up with deployment of a large number of security personnel in the area.

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