Tension has gripped the border of Jiribam and Tamenglong districts in strife-hit Manipur following the abduction and subsequent killing of a 59-year-old Meitei man on Thursday.

Jiribam district has remained peaceful in the ongoing ethnic strife that broke out on May 3 last year till Thursday, sources said.

Jiribam is a mixed community district while Tamenglong is a Naga-majority district with Kuki settlements on its border.

The Jiribam district administration imposed prohibitory orders on Thursday evening in view of the prevailing law and order situation and also beefed up security in vulnerable pockets of the district.

It is also coordinating with the Tamenglong administration to prevent any untoward incident along the inter-district border.

Prohibitory orders were also imposed by the Tamenglong district administration in border villages.

Deceased Soibam Sharatkumar, a resident of Sorok Atingbi Khunou, had left his farm at Jairolpokpi with his wife and son around 4pm but had returned to fix a fence. When his phone was found switched off, a search started. His two-wheeler and slippers were found near a CRPF camp at Uchathol near the border with Tamenglong.

Sharatkumar's body was subsequently found around 7.45pm with wound marks on his neck, sparking off tension in the area. A few houses belonging to both communities were torched by mobs.

A joint action committee (JAC) has been formed by residents of the affected Jiribam area. The JAC demanded the arrest of those involved in the killing within 48 hours, an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh and a suitable government job for the next of kin. If the demands are not met, the pressure group will not claim the body.

Jiribam MLA Md Ashab Uddin condemned the killing and appealed to the people of the district to ensure peace in the district.