The Vangaitang range to the east of the Jiribam district is traditionally inhabited by the Kuki-Zo tribes, in particular the Hmars.

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.

[5][6] The Jiribam plain roughly ends at Uchathol, to the east of which lie the foothills of the Vangaitang range.

[8] Between Uchathol and Mullargao, there are tribal villages such as Phaitol, Kamarangkha Khasi and Ngahmunphai, which are administratively in Tamenglong district.

The "Kashimpur Road" below the foothills pass through Jarolpokpi and Uchathol, and joins the National Highway 37 near Gularthol.

The Jiribam district, consisting of both the classes of population but also other communities such as Bengalis, was affected in a unique fashion.

[14][15] A second death occurred on 6 June, that of a Meitei individual named Soibam Saratkumar Singh from Hilghat area[c] who went missing while returning from his farm near Leishabithol.

[12][18] 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.

[19][13] In the ensuing mayhem, over a thousand Kuki-Zo people, mainly Hmars and Thadou Kukis, from Jiribam fled to Assam's Cachar district.