Manipur’s Ukhrul district administration imposed prohibitory orders in the Litan area starting 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The orders were issued “until further notice” due to rising tension between Naga and Kuki-Zo villagers after an assault case. District Magistrate Asish Das said the restrictions were under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, to prevent a breach of peace and public calm. The administration also called in the Army and paramilitary forces like Assam Rifles as a precaution. On Saturday night, February 7, 2026, a Kuki-Zo group allegedly beat up a Tangkhul Naga man named Sterling at Litan. The situation grew tense the next day when Naga villagers confronted the chief of a Kuki village demanding the culprits be handed over. This sparked calls for action in several Naga villages. The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) said the incident came from "a minor altercation involving a few intoxicated individuals from both villages" and that the issue was being handled peacefully through the Litan Sareikhong village authority in talks with the injured man’s family. However, the Tangkhul students’ group Katho Katamnao Long (KKL) disagreed, asking the KSO to withdraw its statement. The KKL said Sterling was beaten badly after turning on a torch following some noises in the dark. They said the Kuki-Zo group attacked Sterling "on the pretext that the light fell on their faces". Both KSO and KKL appealed for communal harmony amid the unrest.