Churachandpur, June 26: Members of the Sukte tribe on June 26 celebrated the community’s 70th anniversary across villages in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, marking the occasion with prayers, traditional performances and community gatherings that highlighted their cultural heritage and contributions to society.
The celebrations showcased the Sukte tribe’s long-standing traditions, including music, dance and traditional attire, while also recognising the community’s contributions in fields such as education, public service and church ministry. The anniversary served as a moment of cultural reflection and unity for the community spread across the district.
However, the celebrations coincided with a major security development in the state, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) intensified its investigation into the ethnic violence in Manipur with the arrest of 10 accused individuals across seven districts.
The arrests were carried out through a coordinated operation involving the NIA, Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), following simultaneous searches conducted in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Chandel and Pherzawl districts.
According to the NIA, the individuals arrested are suspected to have been involved in multiple incidents linked to the ongoing ethnic violence in the state since May 2023, including attacks on security forces, looting of arms and ammunition, and bank robberies. The agency said the operation was based on extensive intelligence inputs, technical surveillance and field-level investigations.
The NIA stated that the objective of the coordinated action is to identify and prosecute those responsible for criminal and terrorist activities related to the violence, regardless of community affiliations. It added that the arrests are expected to provide crucial leads regarding the planning, execution and support networks behind various incidents under investigation.
The agency further said it is also examining possible interlinkages between different episodes of violence and the groups or individuals allegedly involved in orchestrating them. Describing the operation as an important step towards restoring peace and normalcy, the NIA said its investigations into multiple cases related to the Manipur violence remain ongoing.
Manipur has been witnessing prolonged ethnic conflict since May 3, 2023, primarily involving clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities over issues related to land rights, reservation and access to resources. The violence has resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of around 60,000 people.
The unrest led to a prolonged political crisis in the state, culminating in the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, 2025, followed by the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. President’s Rule was later revoked on February 4, 2026, paving the way for the formation of a new government in the state.
