Tension grips Manipur's Ukhrul after militants set ablaze several houses
Imphal (PTI): Armed militants allegedly torched several houses in Manipur's Ukhrul district, as tensions simmered in the area after a Tangkhul Naga community member was “assaulted” by a group of people, officials said on Monday.
Two tribal groups had on Sunday evening engaged in intense stone pelting at Litan village in the district, prompting the administration to clamp prohibitory orders, they said.
Around midnight on Monday, several houses of Tangkhul Naga community members were set on fire at Litan Sareikhong, allegedly by Kuki militants. A few houses of those belonging to the Kuki community were also torched in a nearby area, the officials said.
Tangkhul is the largest Naga tribe in Manipur. Litan Sareikhong is a Kuki village.
"The damages are being ascertained, and the situation remains tense," a district official told PTI.
Video footages doing the rounds show armed men setting fire to houses and vehicles in the village, and militants wearing camouflage firing with sophisticated weapons in the air.
PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video clips.
Additional security personnel have been deployed at Mahadev, Lambui and Shangkai and in other areas leading to Litan to maintain law and order and prevent movement of suspicious persons, the official said.
On Sunday evening, security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the two tribal groups that clashed at Litan Sareikhong village, he said.
A notification issued by the Ukhrul district magistrate said there was apprehension of breach of peace and tranquillity at the village, due to tension between members of the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities.
DM Asish Das said in the notification that the movement of anyone outside the person’s residence is prohibited from 7 pm on Sunday until further orders.
The decree shall not be applicable to government officials and security personnel, it added.
Violence broke out in the area, after a Tangkhul Naga community member was allegedly assaulted by seven to eight persons at Litan village on Saturday night.
The matter was settled by the victim's side and the chief of Litan Sareikhong, and both parties mutually agreed to resolve the issue through customary means, with a meeting scheduled for Sunday, the officials said.
However, the meeting did not take place.
Instead, a group of villagers from nearby Sikibung allegedly launched an attack on the residence of the chief of Litan Sareikhong, they said.
The villagers also reportedly fired seven rounds while passing through the vicinity of Litan police station.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Be flexible and persevere: Rahul Gandhi to GenZ
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said his message to Gen Z is simple -- "nothing in life is linear" so "be flexible and persevere".
He made the remarks in a post on YouTube accompanying a video of his recent interaction with young NRI students from the UAE.
"Real questions. Honest answers. No filters. During a conversation with young NRI students from the UAE, we spoke about identity, purpose, and the pressures faced by today's youth," Gandhi said.
ALSO READ: Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi looks to translate her election gains into new conservative shift
The discussion addressed some of GenZ's most pressing concerns, such as balancing profession and passion, the freedom to think, express and explore, and dealing with anxiety and overcoming judgment, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
"Many shared how they feel anxious about not being confident enough, about being judged, about insecurity, and about not always feeling comfortable with speaking out," he said.
A central theme of the conversation was how society often attempts to define individuals through labels and assumptions, Gandhi said.
"The message was clear: while the world may try to tell you who you are, what truly matters is staying truthful to yourself," he said.
"My message to GenZ is simple: Nothing in life is linear. Be flexible and persevere," Gandhi said.
Responding to a question about his Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said he learnt during the yatra that one's limit is much more than one thinks.
"I met different people, I realised everybody has their own journey and they should be allowed to explore and live their journey instead of being told you are a Hindu, you are a Christian, you are a Muslim, and you are a Sikh," he told the students, according to the video.
