Tension gripped Molhoi village in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district of Manipur after security forces attempted to arrest a militant on Monday evening.

As word of the operation spread, a large mob gathered at the site, blocking the security forces from making the arrest. The protest escalated as more people joined, setting tyres ablaze to block the road.

The standoff continued for nearly six hours. Around 1 am, the security forces withdrew from the village without making any arrests, sources added.