Imphal: 51 students from the Kuki-Zo community preparing for their board examinations were safely evacuated from two locations in Manipur’s Ukhrul district following renewed ethnic tensions.
The evacuation involved 20 female students from the 40 Assam Rifles Battalion Headquarters in Shangshak and 31 male students from F Company, 40 Assam Rifles, at the Shokvao Company Operating Base (COB). Officials said the move was necessitated after the violence in Litan and adjoining areas between February 7 and 13, reportedly triggered by an altercation involving individuals from the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities. More than 50 houses were burnt during the violence.
Authorities stated that the students were relocated as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety ahead of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary (HS) examinations scheduled from February 17 to April 4.
Along with them, remaining Kuki students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Ramva, were shifted to JNV Kangpokpi. Officials noted that amid the volatile situation, some members of the public had misidentified the students as miscreants, raising concerns for their safety.
The evacuation was facilitated by the timely intervention of the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), the apex student body of the Tangkhul Naga community, along with its zonal units and local leaders. They engaged with villagers in Shangshak, Ramva, Shokvao, TM Kasom, and S. Laho areas, helping de-escalate tensions and ensure the students’ safe passage to Litan Police Station.
The Manipur Police appealed to all communities to exercise restraint and refrain from spreading rumours.