Tension erupted in Churachandpur district on March 22, 2026, after a group of youths tried to storm the residence of Kuki Zo Council (KZC) chairman H. Thanglet, prompting security forces to fire tear gas rounds to disperse the crowd. Officials said the incident occurred in the district headquarters town when a large number of youths gathered outside the leader’s home, allegedly pelting stones and attempting to force their way into the premises.
Security personnel, who had been on alert since the previous evening, moved in quickly and fired several tear gas shells to restore order. Authorities reported no major injuries and said the situation remained tense but under control after additional forces were deployed to prevent further escalation.
The disturbance followed talks between Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh and the Kuki Zo Council in Guwahati on March 21, 2026, an effort described by the council as an attempt to rebuild trust between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. In a statement, the KZC called the meeting an “ice-breaking session” lasting nearly one hour and 45 minutes, during which key issues and assurances about restoring peace were discussed.
The incident comes against the backdrop of prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups that began in May 2023. The violence has claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands, according to the source. President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025, and a popularly backed government led by Singh took office in February 2026.
Local officials said heightened security and patrols were being maintained in Churachandpur to prevent further clashes and to protect civil society leaders and vulnerable communities. They urged calm and warned against actions that could inflame communal tensions.
The attempted attack on a prominent Kuki civil society leader so soon after high-level talks underscores the fragility of peace efforts in Manipur and the deep mistrust that remains between communities. Observers say continued dialogue, visible security measures and rapid responses to incidents will be crucial to prevent renewed outbreaks of violence and to rebuild normalcy across the state.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/manipur-youths-attempt-to-storm-kuki-civil-society-leaders-residence-in-churachandpur-police-use-tear-gas-1363642-2026-03-22?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-22 19:13:00
