Land row turns ugly, 8 hurt in clash
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, November 11 2021: At least eight people including a woman were injured and 15 houses damaged in Lilong Chingkham Ching, Thoubal district around 9.30 am Thursday after the locals got into a scuffle with a team led by SDO Lilong, which had come to conduct demarcation in the area.

Meanwhile, a house in Chingkham Kabui hill also suffered damage after the crowd pelted stones, protesting against the demarcation.

According to reports, a team of revenue department led by SDO Lilong A Shijalembi accompanied by a team of Thoubal District Police conducted a final demarcation of the area around Lilong Chingkham Ching and erected pegs along the boundary.

On seeing the installation of the final pegs, members of Lilong Chingkham Development Organisation and locals around the foothill objected, stating that a case concerning the land is being heard at the High Court of Manipur and started protesting.

As the gathering turned restive, police teams led by SP Thoubal, Addl SPs Imphal West and East, along with CDOs of Kakching and Bish-nupur districts, which were present as security for the SDO team, tried to take the situation under control.

However, police fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets and smoke bombs to control after the situation turned volatile.

In the ensuing melee, eight people including a woman were injured.

Speaking with regard to the incident, Lilong Chingkham Maya Development Organisation secretary Md Aslam Khan contended that the people will never accept the forceful demarcation of the area using security forces.

He said that it was unfortunate that the demarcation was carried out when the Court had sought detailed information from the parties concerned within 4 weeks.

Demanding the government to take responsibility for the innocent people who have been injured by the extreme force used by the police, the secretary raised suspicions over the demarcation being carried out in a stealthy manner.

He further pondered if the acts were being carried out to eliminate the close relationship between the two communities in the area.

Informing that two out of the eight injured are in serious condition, Aslam conveyed that 15 houses were also damaged in the chaos.

Thus, he urged the state government to take serious note of the matter to prevent any future incidents, while adding that the state would be peaceful if the sentiments of both parties are considered.

Further urging the government and the department concerned to investigate the matter thoroughly, the secretary cautioned of launching intense agitations with the CSOs of the state, in case of failing to do so.

Meanwhile, Abdul Gani, owner of one of the 15 damaged houses, recounted that he was preparing to attend an online class conducted by the Forest Department, when his home was suddenly attacked with smoke bomb, tear gas and rubber bullets.

At that moment, he went up to the security personnel atop the hill and informed that his mother was a heart and diabetes patient; with mobility issues owing to paralysis, and as such, requested them not to fire at his house.

However, instead of listening to his pleas, the security personnel started verbally abusing him and proceeded to fire at his house again.

Left with no choice; Abdul's elder brother carried their mother on his back and took her to another pucca house to stay safe.

Condemning such cowardly acts against women and the weak, Abdul appealed to ail concerned not to take the law into their hands and torment the people.

On the other hand, Chingkham Thoubei (Pei) joint secretary M Gairanhung referred to the Cheitharol Kumbaba and contended that their forefathers had settledin the area for the last 300 years and they possess the requisite land deeds as proof.

However, Lilong Chingkham Development Organisation, which was set up in 2012, claimed the area to be Khas land and the residents were holding fake land deeds.

The matter was taken to the Court, in which the Court ruled that the Organisation did not have the right to claim the area as Khas land.

Subsequently, the Organisation filed a writ petition to the High Court.

Stating that Organisation had been bullying the community for the over 10 years, Gairanlung conveyed that one of the houses in the area was damaged after being attacked by stones.

As such, he appealed to all concerned to provide protection to the community.

The owner of the damaged house, Meikianjinang Pamei, expressed dismay over the attack carried and appealed to all concerned not to repeat such acts in the future.

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