Tensions rose in Manipur’s Ukhrul district after Mulam, a Kuki village, came under a pre-dawn armed attack on Friday, with reports of indiscriminate firing, houses set ablaze and multiple casualties.At least two village guards are reported to have been killed in the attack, though there is no official confirmation so far. The incident comes days after two children were killed in a rocket attack in Tronglaobi on April 7. According to sources, the attack began with a blank shot heard around 1 am near the village. The situation escalated around 5.30 am when heavily armed assailants allegedly launched a full-scale assault, opening fire and torching several houses.The attackers are suspected to be militants from the Tangkhul community, but authorities have not confirmed this.At least two persons sustained serious injuries and were rescued, while reports of additional casualties remain unverified. One more fatality has been reported, but officials are yet to confirm the death.The latest violence follows a series of incidents in recent days that had already heightened tensions in the area. On April 19, armed men reportedly entered farmland in Mulam and fired blank shots at farmers, triggering panic. Later the same day, village youths who approached the group were allegedly fired upon, though no injuries were reported.On April 21, another incident of firing targeting farmers further deepened fear among residents and disrupted agricultural activity.The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) later expressed concern over the violence in Mulam and rising tensions among communities in Manipur. Referring to Friday’s incident, COTU claimed that several villagers, including women and children, sustained bullet injuries and that two village volunteers were killed. The organisation called for an impartial investigation and accountability for those responsible.The group said repeated incidents of violence over the past three years have strained inter-community relations and stressed the need for dialogue, restraint and justice.It also urged the government and security agencies to identify those behind the attack, curb armed activity in both hill and valley areas, and restore peace and normalcy in the region.