Does the Century-Old Land Dispute between Two Tangkhul Villages Suddenly Turn into Violent Clash?

While the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and Meities since May 2023 continues for more than 520 days unabated with new dimensions, a sudden violent clash with gunfight between two Tangkhul villages broke out in comparatively peaceful Ukhrul district of Manipur on October 2, 2024.

Video clips showing exchange of fires between two rival groups, people running on the roads and security forces trying to control the violent clash went viral on social media groups before noon on October 2, 2024.

In the tragic violent clash between the villagers of Hungpung (popularly known as Hundung) and Hunphun, at least three persons including one personnel of 6th Battalion of Manipur Rifles and two civilians have been killed and about 46 othere were injured.

Injured persons were taken to Ukhrul District Hospital and Leishiphung Christian Hospital in Hunphun village.  Other critically injured persons were referred to JNIMS Hospital in Imphal for advanced treatment, according to reports.

The two deceased civilians are Silas Zingkhai, 35 years of Meizailung village, Hunphun/Ukhrul and Reileiwung Hongray, 40 years of Awontang village, Hunphun (Ukhrul). The deceased personnel of 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles had been identified as Rifleman Worrinmi Thumrah of Lunghar village, who was on duty nearby. Another rifleman named Nganaomi was also injured, reports added.

The death toll due to the violent clashes rises to four as a critically injured victim from the deadly clash between two villages in Ukhrul district succumbed to his injuries at 8.40 am on October 3, Thursday morning at JNIMS hospital in Imphal. The deceased has been identified as YR Pamzeijo Ramlung of Hungpung Village.

How and What Led To the Violent Clash

According to reports, the violent clash erupted during a cleanliness drive organized by the Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students’ Organisation (THYSO) on October 2 as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign on a strip of disputed land from Ngaphar to Thingrasa in Ukhrul town.

Tensions escalated when Hunphun Village Authority, Ukhrul reportedly opposed the event, claiming the area as part of their jurisdiction the Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students’ Organisation (THYSO) decided to go ahead with their planned cleanliness drive, which led to a violent clash, including gunfire exchanges, which lasted over 3 hours.

Since the Hunphun (Ukhrul) village claims over the strip of land from Ngaphar to Thingrasa as their jurisdiction, they saw the cleanliness drive of the Hungpung villagers led by THYSO as an incursion on Hunphun’s land.

It is said that the cleanliness drive was supposed to be conducted from Hungsei (District Hospital) to Thingrasa.

Arms Loot from Police Station

Meanwhile, surprisingly, an irate mob has looted a total of 21 arms from Ukhrul Police Station, following the exchange of gunfire between residents of Hungpung village and Hunphun village in Ukhrul town during the violent clash.

The irate mob stormed the police station and managed to decamp with eight 9mm pistols, six INSAS rifles, three AK-47 rifles, two 9mm carbines, one SLR, and one Sten gun. The mob also looted 340 INSAS rounds, 250 carbine rounds, 201 rounds of 9mm, 180 rounds of AK-47 and 10 rounds of SLR, totalling 981 rounds, reports added.

Government Actions

Following the tragic incident, curfew has been imposed in Ukhrul town with immediate effect until further notice.

A notice by Dinringam Kamei, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Ukhrul, stated that the Superintendent police, Ukhrul, vide letter No. C-1(L&O)/2024- SP(UKL)/7363 dated 2nd October, 2024, has reported an apprehension in connection with social work organized by THYSO today i.e. 02.10.2024 and subsequent objection to such activities in Hunphun area by Hunphun Village Authority.

Moreover, in connection with land disputes between Hunphun village and Hungpung village there is a possibility of creating law and order problem which may lead to breach of peace and public tranquillity between the two villages, the Sub Divisional Magistrate stated.

Moreover, the State Government had ordered temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including VSATs, broadband (IILL & FTTH) and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of Ukhrul District of Manipur for 1 (one) day with effect from 1:20 P.M. of 02-10-2024 subject to confirmation within the next 24 hours except for those Lease lines and FTTH connections to DC and SP Offices or any case whereby the State Government grants exemption.

In response to the looting of 21 firearms from Ukhrul Police Station by an irate mob on Wednesday, October 2 during the violent clash, a combined team of district police and Assam Rifles conducted a search operation.

Manipur’s Inspector General of Police (Operations) IK Muivah rushed to Ukhrul to assess the volatile situation and met with residents from both villages. DIG Ningsen Worngam and SP Kamjong Ningshem Vashum rushed to the scene on October 2 after receiving reports about the incident and departed Ukhrul for Imphal on October 3.

Authorities remain confident that the stolen weapons will be returned to the police station. Two firearms, which were taken from personnel of the 6th MR, have already been returned so far, reports added.

Chief Minister’s Response

In a statement, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said, “I am extremely pained to inform about the unfortunate incident of violence in and around Ukhrul district headquarters today, causing death of three people including two civilians and one MR (Manipur Rifles) personnel and injuries to many.”  The government has started the process of giving compensation to the families of those who were killed and to people who were injured, the Chief Minister added.

Appeal from Tangkhul MLAs for Peace

The three Tangkhul members of Manipur Legislative Assembly including Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, MLA Leishiyo Keishing and MLA Ram Muivah appealed to the citizens of Hungpung (Hundung) and Hunphun (Ukhrul) for peace.

“Dear beloved citizens of Hungpung and Hunphun, with a heart weighed down by sorrow, we stand before you today as one of your own, pleading for peace. We reach out to you today in the midst of this unfortunate incident that has cast a dark shadow over our cherished land,” they said in a joint statement.

“Our villages, bound together by blood, history and love, must not be torn apart by the fires of violence and anger. We are not just neighbours; we are a family. Our ancestors walked these same paths, shared their dreams, their hardships, and their joy. Let us not allow this moment to shatter what generations have built. No victory can be found in the pain of our brothers and sisters. Let us pause, reflect, and remember that our strength lies in unity, not division. Every heart that bleeds today is a wound on our shared soul,” the three Tangkhul MLAs said.

Manipur Congress Blames Home Department

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President, K. Meghachandra, blamed the State’s Home Department and the Ukhrul district administration for failing to gather intelligence in time to prevent the violence. “It is unfortunate that such incidents happen despite the significant presence of security forces in Manipur,” he said.

Civil Bodies Appeal for Peace

The United Naga Council (UNC) said, “with heavy heart and lamentation over the occurrence of pandemonic situation at the heart of the Ukhrul district headquarters on October 2 leading to the death of our beloved brothers from the fatal bullets and injuries inflicted upon many victims from both the villages”, fervently appealed to Hunphun and Hungpung villagers to refrain from further taking up arms and give peace a chance in the greater interest of humanity.

The UNC also said the era of head hunting as sports and glorifying one’s chopped head as a trophy are old ways and the days of the past. “It is a natural phenomenon for any human race to have disagreement and conflict over land resources but violence is not a means for ends of conflict,” it added.

The Naga Women’s Union appealed to both Hunphun and Hungpung villages to adhere to the peace framework by reducing tensions, urging everyone to remember, “There are more elements that unite us than divide us.”

The intensity of the conflict is evident, but individuals, especially women and children, desire a society free from violence and conflict. Despite differing ideologies, particularly regarding traditional properties governed by customary institutions, both Hunphun and Hungpung share the same ancestral background. A conflict between these two villages, part of a larger community, affects thousands, the Naga Women’s Union noted.

The Naga Women’s Union called for a swift resolution to the tensions between the two villages, emphasizing that conflicts should be curbed by those in a civilized society.

The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul community, has declared a three-day mourning period from October 3 to October 5. During this time, the TNL has called for the suspension of all business and normal activities within its jurisdiction.

The TNL has urged for public cooperation during this period of three-day mourning, expressing hope that such violent incidents should never occur again in the land of the Tangkhul Naga people.

The Tangkhul Baptist Churches’ Association and the Tangkhul Shanao Long, a social organisation, also appealed for peace.

Century-Old Land Dispute

It may be mentioned that the long-standing dispute over the land between Hunphun village and Hungpung village has been going on since 1929. The disputed land was declared a “Neutral Zone” by then British SDO LL Peter.

The Neutral zone is a strip of land now called Phungreitang and Hamleikhong where many government offices like the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Manipur Rifles, Circuit House and Fire Brigade etc are located.

Dr. RK Nimai, retired IAS officer who has rich administrative experience of Manipur said, “The then British SDO LL Peter decided to call the disputed land as ‘Neutral Zone’ where both villages can enjoy the usufruct but can’t claim the land as theirs.”

It is also said that the area where the conflict started is more than what was designated as Neutral Zone and goes deeper into Ukhrul or Hunphun land.

Pertinent Questions

However, a pertinent question arises to ponder here – why does the century-old land dispute between two villages of the same community suddenly turn into violent clash killing four persons and injuring more than 40?

Another wild but pertinet question to ponder in the present context of Manipur and changing political landscape where Meiteis, the leading community of the region are now deeply divided, – Are there any vested interests or invisible forces which want divisions amongst Tangkhul, another leading community of Manipur and exploit the century-old land dispute?

Or can it be considered just a mere law and order problem?