Land rows throw calls for communal harmony in the air
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, June 11 2014:
Tension over land disputes erupted in Thoubal and Chandel district today throwing the call for communal harmony and amity among different groups of people in the State out in the air.
In the first incident, police have a tough time controlling the two groups of people confronting each other by pelting stones in Thoubal district this morning due to land dispute.
According to the sources, at 9:30 am today the villagers of Lilong Chingkham Kabui Khun and the residents of a separate community of Lilong Chingkham engaged in stone pelting against each other after one group objected the other of preparing to settle in a vast empty space.
The villagers of Lilong Chingkham village were preparing for settlement by levelling mud in the empty area of the village vicinity this morning when a large number of people hailing from another community came and raised their objection to the plan.
An argument ensued which was followed by pelting of stones from both sides.
However, timely arrival of the Lilong police prevented the incident turning into serious trouble.
The vast empty area in the Lilong Chingkham vicinity has been reportedly used by certain group of people as play grounds, cattle keeping and for other activities.
However, the Lilong Chingkham villagers claimed that they have been in the area for the past 300 years and the land belongs to them.
But the other group of people argued that people of Lilong Chingkham settled there only after 1915 .
An organisation called Lilong Chingkham Maya Development Organisation had put up a case in the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Thoubal, Manipur under Original Suit No 12 of 2013 while the Lilong Chingkham village filed an appeal case in Civil Miscellaneous with Case No.1 of 2014, District Judge, Thoubal, Manipur.
Meanwhile, the Lilong Chingkham Maya Development Organisation has said that no one should use the disputed land before the court's final judgment or verdict is pronounced.
On the other hand, tension prevails in the border of Thoubal and Chandel districts today as some bandh supporters vandalised shops, sign-boards and certain structures in the area.
Police have to resort to firing tear-gas canisters and blank firing to control the situation.
According to reports, a 24-hour bandh sponsored by one Joint Non-Governmental Voluntary Organisation, Kakching was underway since last midnight along Imphal-Moreh road and in the whole Thoubal district in protest against certain settlers who put up sign-boards written Chandel district when they are in Thoubal district.
The bandh supporters were also irked by the alleged act of felling of trees on May 21 by All Laiching Village Authority Action Committee.
Reports said the situation has been brought under control at the moment but tension is running high.
Meanwhile, several civil organizations including CNPO, Maring Uparup Assembly, Maring Naga Students' Union and Maring Naga Baptist Churches Association have strongly condemned the act of vandalism carried out bandh supporters.
United Naga Council (UNC) and Maring Students Union (MSU) have also reportedly warned of responding with appropriate action.