Once a quiet economic and social hub in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, Sinakeithei now lives under the shadow of daily gunfire.
What was once a model of inter-community coexistence has turned into a conflict zone where education has stalled, livelihoods are collapsing, and fear dictates daily life. For the over 2,000 residents of this Tangkhul Naga village, survival has become the primary concern as violence inches closer to their homes.
Sinakeithei is regarded as one of the most picturesque villages in Manipur, blessed with a striking landscape and a well-planned settlement.
Situated on the western side of Ukhrul district, the village is home to over 2,000 people across approximately 450 households.
This Tangkhul Naga village is strategically encircled by at least 11 Kuki villages, making its residents particularly vulnerable whenever tensions escalate in the region.
Locals recount that, despite being the only Tangkhul Naga village in the area, Sinakeithei once functioned as an economic hub for neighbouring villages, including those inhabited by the Kuki community, without any history of enmity. The village fostered peaceful and mutually beneficial relationships, supporting trade and social harmony.
According to Vashai Canaan Phungshim Zimik, the village headman, farmers from neighbouring Kuki villages regularly visited Sinakeithei to sell agricultural produce. On their return, they would purchase groceries from local markets, sustaining a cycle of economic interdependence.
That fragile equilibrium has now collapsed. Ongoing tensions have disrupted these interactions, severing long-standing economic and social ties.
Schools in the village, which once catered to students from multiple communities—including Kuki and Nepali—have remained shut for over two months. Locals allege that suspected Kuki armed groups have been firing from the Lungter hill range almost daily, making it unsafe for classes to continue.
Nearly 1,000 students from Sinakeithei and surrounding areas were enrolled in the village’s schools. Of these, around 700 are from the village itself. With persistent gunfire, normal schooling has ceased, forcing families who can afford it to send their children to Ukhrul town.
For those who cannot, education has become a daily gamble. Some parents send their children early in the morning, hoping to avoid violence during brief windows of calm.
On Friday, students who remain in the village staged a peaceful protest, demanding immediate government intervention to restore safety and allow them to study without fear.
According to Bernice Zingchon Nancy Rungsung, headmistress of Sinakeithei Primary School, enrolment has dropped sharply—from 450 to just 138 students since the unrest began in February. She described the situation starkly: education, a fundamental right, has effectively become a privilege.
“What was once a neutral zone for education has become a battlefield,” she said.
Food security under threat:
Agriculture, the backbone of the village economy, has been severely disrupted. Residents are increasingly afraid to venture into their fields due to the risk of gunfire from the nearby Lungter hills, where armed groups have allegedly established bunkers and trenches.
Ayin, a local farmer, expressed deep concern about food security in the coming year. Missed planting cycles could lead to severe shortages.
“We can no longer move freely within our own compounds and are forced to remain indoors out of fear of snipers. In such conditions, how can we tend to our fields?” she asked.
On March 22, 2026, a mother and her young son were trapped for over three hours while collecting cabbage from their fields due to indiscriminate firing. They were eventually rescued by personnel from the Mahar Regiment—an incident that underscores the constant danger civilians face.
Livelihoods collapsing beyond farming:
Livestock rearing, another critical source of income, has also been affected. With limited access to feed from fields and gardens, many families have been forced to slaughter their animals or watch them starve.
Zimik reported that several dogs in the village have been killed by stray bullets, while others have died due to the relentless noise of gunfire. The violence has extended beyond human life, affecting animals and deepening the sense of distress.
Access to basic healthcare has also become precarious. Reaching medical facilities during emergencies is fraught with risk, particularly for children and the elderly. Zimik warned that prolonged exposure to violence could leave lasting psychological trauma on children.
Security concerns and calls for intervention:
Residents allege that armed Kuki militants have used not only firearms but also explosives and heavy weaponry, intensifying fear and instability.
Zimik stated that the tensions, which began in Litan, gradually spread to Sinakeithei, turning it into a repeated target of attacks. Despite the presence of security forces, the village continues to face assaults from multiple directions.
Currently, one company each of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Mahar Regiment, Manipur Rifles, and state police are deployed. However, villagers argue that this deployment is insufficient given the scale of the threat. Zimik has called for the deployment of an additional Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) to strengthen protection.
Connectivity has also become a major concern. The road linking Sinakeithei to National Highway 202 is considered unsafe due to its proximity to several Kuki villages. The alternative route via Sirarakhong remains the only relatively safer option.
However, the absence of a Bailey bridge over the Ihang River poses a serious risk. With the monsoon approaching, the village could be completely cut off. Zimik has urged the government to prioritise construction of the bridge to ensure connectivity and access to essential services.
Sinakeithei’s story reflects a broader and deeply troubling shift—from coexistence to conflict, from stability to survival. What was once a thriving rural hub now stands as a stark reminder of how quickly peace can unravel, leaving entire communities trapped in cycles of fear, isolation, and uncertainty.
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