Fresh violence erupts in Manipur with houses torched, gunfire reported

Arsonists torched several houses in Manipur on Monday as fresh confrontations broke out between two community groups, authorities said. The incidents were preceded and followed by armed exchanges, according to initial reports from the conflict-affected state.

The violence represents the latest in a series of clashes that have roiled Manipur in recent months, pitting different ethnic and religious groups against one another. The northeastern state has experienced repeated cycles of communal tensions, with disputes over land, resources, and historical grievances fueling periodic outbursts.

Local administration officials said emergency services were deployed to the affected areas, though details on casualties and the scale of damage remained unclear. Security forces have increased patrols in violence-prone zones to prevent further escalation.

Manipur has struggled to maintain communal peace amid longstanding inter-group rivalries. Authorities have urged residents to exercise restraint and appealed for information from the public to identify those responsible for the latest incidents. The state government indicated it would take strict action against perpetrators of violence.