Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil at 21:27, 30 April 2026

2026-04-30T21:27:27Z

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{{short description|Village in Manipur, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Leishabithol
| native_name_lang = 
| other_name =
| nickname =
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Manipur#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Manipur, India
| coordinates = {{coord|24.7431|93.1565|format=dms |display=inline,title|region:IN_type:city}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Manipur]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Jiribam district|Jiribam]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name="2011 census"/>
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 172.4
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 61
| population_total = 231
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 =
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2011 census"/>
| demographics_type1 = Language(s)
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Meitei language|Meitei]]
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
| demographics1_info2 =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type =
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| area_code =
| registration_plate =
| website =
| footnotes =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 13
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}
'''Leishabithol'''{{efn|Alternative spellings: "Leisabithol",<ref name="Sangai 5 Jul"/> "Laishabithol" and "Laishabithal",<ref name="Gazette 1956"/> and "Leisabithel".<ref name="Gazette 1956"/>}}
is a census village in [[Jiribam district]], [[Manipur]], India. It is along the low-lying ridges of the [[Vangaitang]] range, close to the [[Vangaichungpao railway station]]. Also close-by are the villages of '''Mullargao'''{{efn|Alternative spellings: "Mullargaon",<ref name="Gazette 1956"/> and "Mulargaon".<ref name="Print 7 Jun">
Noren Ningombam, Karishma Hasnat, [https://theprint.in/india/section-144-imposed-in-manipurs-jiribam-after-police-recover-mutilated-body-houses-burnt-down/2120946/ Section 144 imposed in Manipur’s Jiribam after police recover mutilated body, houses burnt down], The Print, 7 June 2024.
</ref>}} and '''Nungkhal'''.

== Geography and history ==
The [[Vangaitang]] range to the east of the Jiribam district is traditionally inhabited by the [[Kuki-Zo people|Kuki-Zo]] tribes, in particular the [[Hmar people|Hmars]]. The tribals in the northern part of the range are predominantly [[Thadou Kukis]] (often called just "Kukis"). In 1907, the Jiribam plain was opened for settlement by the Government of Manipur, and it came to be settled by Meiteis and Bengali speakers from the neighbouring [[Cachar district]].<ref name="1911 annual report">
{{citation |last=Higgins |first=J. C. |title=Administration Report of The Manipur State For The Year 1911-12 |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co |location=Calcutta |year=1912 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.125393 |via=archive.org |ref={{sfnref|Administration Report for 1911-12|1912}} |page=4}}
</ref><ref>
{{citation |last=Harvey |first=C. W. L. |title=Administration Report of The Manipur State For The Year 1931-32 |publisher=The State Printing Press |location=Imphal |year=1932 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.125395 |via=archive.org |page=55 |ref={{sfnref|Administration Report for 1931-32|1932}}}}
</ref>

The Jiribam plain roughly ends at Uchathol, to the east of which lie the foothills of the Vangaitang range. The "foothills" in this region are made up of multiple strands of long, parallel ridges, interspersed by equally long valleys. These valleys are inhabited and cultivated. The first valley contains the Mullargao village, occupying the entire length of the valley. The second valley partly houses the Leishabithol village, but the main settlement of Leishabithol is along a break in the ridgeline where a river flows down from the top of the Vangaitang range. Nungkhal is also in the second valley to the south of Leishabithol.

The third valley and the ones above it belong to the [[Tamenglong district]] and are lightly populated. The fourth valley has the [[Vangaichungpao railway station]] on the [[Katakhal–Jiribam–Imphal line]]. The nearest large village to the railway station is Leishabithol. During the construction of the railway, the construction companies were based at Leishabithol. There was also a camp of 4th [[Manipur Rifles]] stationed there for security.<ref>
[https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=19..280816.aug16 Locals stage protest to retain MR camp], The Sangai Express, via e-pao.net, 27 August 2016.
</ref>
In 2018, it was reported that 5th Manipur Rifles were deployed at the train station.<ref>
[https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/manipur-constitutes-committees-to-monitor-influx-of-immigrants-post-nrc-draft-5289104/ Manipur govt constitutes committees to monitor influx of immigrants post-NRC draft], The Indian Express, 2 August 2018.
</ref>

Between Uchathol and Mullargao, there are tribal villages such as [[Phaitol]], [[Kamarangkha Khasi]] and [[Ngahmunphai]], which are administratively in Tamenglong district. Mullargao and Leishabithol are however in Jiribam district. The overlapping jurisdictions of districts makes it difficult to draw clear district boundaries. In August 2024, the Tousem Area Students' Organization noted that nine villages of Tamenglong district had been wrongly shown as part of Jiribam district in government-sponsored maps.<ref name="Tousem Students">[https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/nine-villages-incorporated-to-jiribam-district ‘Nine villages incorporated to Jiribam district’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204063730/https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/nine-villages-incorporated-to-jiribam-district |date=4 December 2024 }}, Imphal Free Press, 23 August 2024.</ref><ref name="MARSAC">
[https://marsac.mn.gov.in/pdf/sub_division/SubDivision_JIRIBAM.pdf Map of Jiribam Subdivision], Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre, retrieved 8 November 2024.</ref>

The "Mullargao Road" from Uchathol leads to these villages. There is also a road from [[Kashmipur]], which goes further up to the village of Kulbung. The "Kashimpur Road" below the foothills pass through [[Jarolpokpi]] and [[Uchathol]], and joins the [[National Highway 37 (India)|National Highway 37]] near Gularthol.

== Demographics ==
The Leishabithol census village has a population of 231 people living in 51 households.<ref name="2011 census">
{{citation |title=Imphal East District Census Handbook |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Manipur |year=2011 |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/uploads/2018/03/2018032977.pdf |page=92}}
</ref>
Three households are said to belong to [[Meitei people]].<ref name="Sangai 5 Jul"/> Thirty-one people (13 percent) belong to [[Scheduled Tribes]].<ref name="2011 census PCA">
[https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/40957 PCA: Primary Census Abstract C.D. Block wise, Manipur - District Imphal East - 2011], Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, retrieved 8 November 2024.
</ref>
They appear to live in a separate settlement called "Leishabithol Kuki".<ref name="MARSAC"/>

The neighbouring Mullargao village has 836 people living in 158 households. Nungkhal has 318 people living in 64 households. These villages have no Scheduled Tribes.<ref name="2011 census"/><ref name="2011 census PCA"/>

== 2023–2025 Manipur violence ==
On 3 May 2023, major [[2023–2024 Manipur violence|ethnic violence]] broke out between the [[Meitei people|Meitei]] and [[Kuki-Zo people|Kuki-Zo]] communities of Manipur. Within weeks over 100 people died and 60,000 people got displaced. All the Kuki-Zo people in the [[Imphal Valley]] and the Meitei people in the Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts were forced to flee to the other side. The Jiribam district, consisting of both the classes of population but also other communities such as Bengalis, was affected in a unique fashion.

During the first week of violence, the security forces quickly controlled the violence in Jiribam district and brokered a peace agreement between the communities.<ref name="Kuthar">
Greeshma Kuthar, [https://caravanmagazine.in/conflict/manipur-violence-jiribam-district-hmar-assam-cachar Stagnant Strife: Disinformation draws Manipur’s last district into violence], The Caravan, 1 September 2024.
</ref> The peace agreement held for almost a year, with no deaths being caused.<ref name="Kuthar"/><ref name="KIJTN">
[https://www.thehillsjournal.com/kuki-inpi-publishes-chronology-of-jiribam-violence-condemns-atrocities-by-meitei-radicals/ Kuki Inpi Publishes Chronology of Jiribam Violence, Condemns Atrocities by Meitei Radicals], The Hills Journal, 22 November 2024.
</ref>

The peace was shattered by twin murders in May–June 2024. The first was of a Kuki individual named Seigoulen Singson from Phaitol.<ref name="Kuthar"/> He went missing on 14 May, and his body was discovered floating in [[Jiri River]] three days later near [[Muolzawl]].<ref name="KIJTN Seigoulen Singson">
[https://www.thehillsjournal.com/kuki-inpi-publishes-chronology-of-jiribam-violence-condemns-atrocities-by-meitei-radicals/ Kuki Inpi Publishes Chronology of Jiribam Violence, Condemns Atrocities by Meitei Radicals], The Hills Journal, 22 November 2024. "'''May 14, 2024''': Mr Seigoulen Singson of Phaitol village was abducted from Police Check point in Phaitol and later on 17th May, tortured & decomposed body found in Jiri river and his latest mobile location was at Dibong, Meetei locality of Jiribam."
</ref><ref name="Newsreel 12 Jun">
Ganesh Rajaraman, [https://www.newsreel.asia/articles/manipur-fresh-wave-of-violence-erupts Fresh Wave of Violence Erupts], Newsreel Asia, 12 June 2024. {{ProQuest|3067512215}}
</ref>
A second death occurred on 6 June, that of a Meitei individual named Soibam Saratkumar Singh from [[Hilghat]] area{{efn|His residence was mentioned as Sorok Atingbi Khunou, a locality in the Hilghat area.}} who went missing while returning from his farm near Leishabithol. His two-wheeler and slippers were found near the CRPF camp in Uchathol, the likely place of his abduction, and the body was found near Mullargao.<ref name="Telegraph 8 Jun">
Umanand Jaiswal, [https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/fresh-tension-in-manipur-abduction-murder-roil-peaceful-pockets-in-jiribam-and-tamenglong/cid/2025420 Fresh tension in Manipur: Abduction, murder roil peaceful pockets in Jiribam and Tamenglong], The Telegraph (India), 8 June 2024. {{ProQuest|3065476568}} "His two-wheeler and slippers were found near a CRPF camp at Uchathol near the border with Tamenglong."
</ref><ref>
[https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur-jac-demands-arrest-of-culprits-who-killed-a-farmer-within-48-hours.html Manipur: JAC demands arrest of culprits who killed a farmer within 48 hours], Northeast Now, 7 June 2024. "Saratkumar, a farmer by profession was abducted from Khasia Punji [[Kamarangkha Khasi]] in Jiribam district while he was returning from his farm at Leishabithol of the same district."
</ref><ref name="Print 7 Jun"/>
Within an hour rumours spread on social media that his body was found beheaded, and in another hour, widespread arson broke out in Jiribam as Meitei mobs started attacking Kuki-Zo settlements and churches.<ref name="Kuthar"/><ref name="Scroll 18 Jun">
[https://scroll.in/article/1069410/ How a relatively peaceful district became the ‘new battleground’ in Manipur], Scroll.in, 18 June 2024.
</ref>

According to the [[Kuki Inpi]] of the region, all Kuki-Zo settlements in the Jiribam town, including in Uchathol, were attacked simultaneously and burnt down.<ref name="Hindu 8 Jun">
Abhinay Lakshman, [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur/200-evacuated-from-manipurs-jiribam-district-amid-tension/article68264074.ece Manipur violence: 200 evacuated from Jiribam district amid tension], ''The Hindu'', 8 June 2024.
</ref><ref name="KIJTN"/>
In the ensuing mayhem, over a thousand Kuki-Zo people, mainly [[Hmar people|Hmars]] and [[Thadou people|Thadou Kukis]], from Jiribam fled to Assam's Cachar district.<ref name="Kuthar"/><ref name="Article-14">
Debarun Choudhury, [https://article-14.com/post/a-new-wave-of-displacement-in-manipur-as-hundreds-of-tribal-minorities-seek-refuge-in-assam-6699d8428beb1 A New Wave of Displacement In Manipur, As Hundreds Of Tribal Minorities Seek Refuge In Assam], Article-14, 19 July 2024.
</ref>
Meitei families from Leishabithol were also evacuated since the area is dominated by Kuki tribes.<ref name="NDTV 7 Jun">
Debanish Achom, Ratnadip Choudhury, [https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tension-in-manipurs-jiribam-linked-to-decomposed-body-found-in-may-residents-allege-local-case-blown-up-5841381 Tension In Manipur's Jiribam Linked To Decomposed Body Found In May, Residents Allege Local Case Blown Up], NDTV, 7 June 2024.
</ref>
According to ''[[The Sangai Express]]'', there were only three Meitei families in Leishabithol, and their houses were burnt down after they were evacuated.<ref name="Sangai 5 Jul">
[https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1..060724.jul24 Order of June 7 : Deceased cop found detailed for duty at Jiri; MHRC sounded to penalise DG, SA], The Sangai Express, via e-pao.net, 5 July 2024.
</ref>

{{clear left}}
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
<references>

<ref name="Gazette 1956">
{{citation |chapter=Notification No. IJ/2/56 |title=Manipur Gazette |date=16 August 1956 |pages=15–16 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.125722/page/n652 |via=archive.org}}
</ref>

</references>

{{Manipur}}

[[Category:Villages in Jiribam district]]
[[Category:2023–2026 Manipur conflict]]

Leishabithol - Revision history

Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil at 21:27, 30 April 2026