Dimapur, Feb 13: A clash was reported on Friday morning at Medziphema Sub-division involving the Chakroma Public Organization and Moava Village.
As per an official report, the incident occurred due to issues from land related matters, and misunderstanding escalated between the two groups which subsequently turned violent. The situation intensified as both groups engaged in stone pelting.
During the course of violence, 48 people were injured from both parties, six vehicles were burnt down and 15 vehicles damaged, five houses burnt, 20 private houses damaged, and seven shops including Moava Community Hall was burnt down, the report also said.
One executive magistrate on duty and one security personnel also sustained major injuries while performing official duties, the official report added.
On receiving the information, the district administration and security forces rushed to the spot and necessary measures were taken to control the situation and restore law and order to prevent any further violence, the report further added.
Meanwhile, the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) lodged a complaint to the additional deputy commissioner of Chümoukedima district which said that when the CPO leaders went to Maova village for a dialogue on some land issue this morning, they were greeted by “belligerent attitude” of the “Kuki miscreants”.
The CPO said that this morning its leaders, accompanied by some few youth volunteers, went to the Maova village for dialogue with the council chairman and the GB. “However, on reaching the village we were met with people with aggressive behaviour. They greeted the negotiating party (CPO) with stones and batons. The CPO president was pushed around by Kuki miscreants and had to be pulled to safety by our volunteers. Due to their belligerent attitude, and in defense of Chakhroma leaders, youth volunteers retaliated. In the ensuing scuffle”, the CPO alleged. The CPO also said, “Kuki miscreants injured the EAC of Medziphema and a police personnel”.
On the other hand, Maova Village Council said, “What began as a private land dispute between involving individuals from Maova village and Mr. Sobu Rio and the Chathe Prayer Centre was deliberately escalated into a large scale attack against an entire village where innocent villagers who had no connection to the dispute were made to suffer”.
A press statement issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime)/PRO, Dimapur on February 13, said the situation is now under control. Security forces have been deployed in the area and normal traffic movement has been restored.
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The police have appealed to the public to maintain peace and not take the law into their own hands.
Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton taking to X said, “Any act that disrupts peace and endangers lives and property is a matter of serious concern.”