Following the outbreak of the conflict between Kuki and Naga groups on 7th February 2026 at Litan, our village, Sinakeithei, fall under different threats from the Kuki armed groups and a series of violent incidents followed thereafter. The village is located in the westernmost part of Ukhrul district, bordering Kangpokpi district. It is surrounded by several Kuki villages, leaving the villagers particularly vulnerable to insecurity.
The first reported incident occurred on 23rd February 2026. On that day, an elder from our village was abducted at gunpoint while he was on his way to his farm, allegedly by armed Kuki militants. On the same day, our reserve land in the surrounding Lungter hill ranges was reportedly set on fire, and multiple rounds of gunfire were heard.
The threats continued. On 7th March 2026, villagers were working in their agricultural fields when unprovoked firing was reportedly carried out by an armed Kuki group. The villagers immediately sought shelter and hid wherever they could to protect themselves. Fortunately, there were no casualties during the initial attack However, the attacks did not stop. Our village continued to come under fire during both the day and night. On some occasions, the firing continued throughout the entire night. During one particularly intense night, we counted approximately more than 50 explosions or bomb blasts in and around the village. In total, we witnessed approximately 11 major attacks on our village In addition to these major attacks, intermittent firing from distant locations continued repeatedly The intensity and duration of these attacks left the villagers frightened and traumatized, particularly women and children.
On 25th March, 2026, a mother and her son were reportedly pinned down by gunfire from suspected Kuki militants while collecting produce from their farm. The two remained trapped for more than seven hours before being rescued by central security forces. The attackers allegedly fired indiscriminately from the surrounding Lungter hill ranges of Sinakeithei village, where they were reportedly operating from fortified bunkers On 22nd April 2026, a civilian from Sinakeithei was reportedly shot while moving within the village. The bullet pierced his heel, causing serious injury. According to local accounts, the firing originated from the same Lungter hill range overlooking the village, where armed Kuki groups were reportedly positioned.
Again, on 7th May 2026, another young man from Sinakeithei was reportedly shot in the chest from the same hill range. He sustained severe injuries and was said to have been in critical condition.
The two incidents have deepened fear among villagers, raising serious concerns about the safety of civilians even within their own homes and community. The hill range from which the firing was reportedly carried out is now occupied by Central Security Forces.
The latest firing was reported on 24th August, 2026 from the Kuki village, Leplen’s cemetery, at around midnight after Mahar Regiment posted in the village was removed. Multiples round were fire upon despite central security forces being stationed at the village. Whether my people, Sinakeithei village, like it or not, have to endured the attacks and continued to protect their families, homes, and village.
The Untold reality of Sinakeithei Village–
The world has advanced tremendously in almost every field. Technology has transformed the way we communicate, travel, learn, and receive medical treatment. Yet, my village, my people are still struggling for the most basic necessities of human life which really break my heart. Education, healthcare, proper roads, safe drinking water, transportation, and a stable local economy are not easily accessible. These are not luxuries. They are fundamental needs human being should be able to access.
Our difficulties have become even greater because of the prolonged conflict between Kuki and Naga communities. For more than seven months, the situation has continued to affect the daily lives of ordinary people. Villagers who once had relatively direct access to Imphal now face a much longer and more difficult journey. A journey that could previously take around two hours can now take seven or eight hours or even longer because of the restrictions and insecurity along the shorter route.
This has created serious problems, particularly in medical emergencies. There is no doctor permanently available in our village. People suffering from conditions such as prenatal high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, and other illnesses have to depend on distant medical facilities. Even something as basic as taking a new-born baby for vaccination can become a major undertaking. Families have to travel long distances through difficult roads and forested areas simply to access essential healthcare. During heavy rain, the situation becomes even worse. Roads can become impossible to use, landslides can block passages, and rivers can become dangerous to cross. The road connecting our village to Ukhrul town and the outside world is another major concern. It is our essential link to markets, hospitals, schools, government services, and other necessities. However, the road is in poor condition and has repeatedly been affected by heavy rainfall and landslides. On 7th August 2026, a bridge has also been damaged by the heavy rains, making transportation even more difficult. When bridges are damaged and rivers become swollen, villagers may still have to wait for the water level to fall before they can cross safely. More than a month has passed now, there has been little to no visible government assistance or development response so far.
Access to drinking water is another basic necessity that has become difficult for our village.
On 11th August 2026, the canal that supplies water to our village was damaged by a landslide during heavy rainfall, disrupting the water connectivity that our people depend. on. However, our villagers did not simply wait for outside help. The people of the village worked together to restore the damaged water connection, and for now, the water supply has been restored. Yet, there are limits to what a village community can do, the problem is not completely solved. The restored water connection is still at risk and may not be strong enough to withstand another period of heavy rain. If heavy rainfall causes another landslide or damages the canal again, we cannot guarantee that the water supply will remain intact. The absence of timely intervention from the government has left the community feeling neglected and vulnerable.
For a community already facing difficulties with roads, healthcare, transportation, and livelihoods, losing access to drinking water would create yet another serious hardship.
Agricultural Loss Caused by Conflict:
Agriculture is one of the main sources of livelihood for the people of Sinakeithei village. However, this year, insecurity caused by the ongoing conflict has prevented villagers from safely accessing and cultivating their paddy fields.
The estimated agricultural loss can be calculated as follows:
1. Total agricultural Land – 145 Hectare (Pari) approx.
2. 1 Hectare (Pari) – 4 Acres
3. Total land in Acres – 580 acres
4. Production per acre – 200 tins of grains
5. Total estimated production – 116,000 tins
6. Value per tin – Rs. 350/-
7. Total estimated agricultural value – Rs. 40, 600,000/-
8. Equivalent value in crore – Rs.4.06 Crore.
Therefore, based on the estimated production and prevailing value of ₹350 per tin, the village faces an estimated agricultural production loss of approximately Rs. 4.06 crore this year because villagers have been unable to safely cultivate their fields. The once-profoundly rich fields, stretching along the peripheral plains, now lay silent. Untilled. Unfarmed. The humanitarian scene in Sinakeithei demands a swift resolution from the concerned authorities. This loss is not simply a loss of crops. When farmers cannot reach their fields, families lose an important source of food and income. Food security becomes uncertain, household earnings decline, and the already fragile local economy suffers further.
In a rapidly developing world, it is painful that people are still forced to struggle for such basic necessities. Again, we are not asking for luxury. We are asking for the fundamentals of human life: accessible healthcare, adequate medical care, safe and reliable roads, education, clean drinking water, and the freedom to cultivate our own land without fear.
Shanluiso Angkang
Concerned Citizen
(The views and opinions in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Rural Post)
