India, March 3 -- Tension escalated on Monday after occupants of two vehicles clashed near Shangkai village along the Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202) in Manipur's Ukhrul district, prompting police to register an FIR, reports said on Tuesday.

The dispute began when an ECO van carrying residents of Mongkot Chepu village (Kuki community) and a Maruti Alto carrying residents of Riha village (Tangkhul Naga) narrowly avoided a collision about 5 kilometres southwest of Litan Police Station. The situation escalated after the occupants allegedly exchanged communal slurs.

Reports said around 20 suspected Kuki militants later reached the spot and allegedly launched a coordinated attack, injuring several people and causing extensive damage to the vehic...