Houses destroyed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2016 :
At least four houses of Haibung village under Sadar Hills along NH-53 were reportedly dismantled by neighbouring villagers last night in connection with a land dispute.
Reports culled from the spot said that about 20-30 men armed with lethal weapons reportedly dismantled four houses of Haibung village last night about 10.No human casualty has been reported though.
Addressing reporters today, Thongminthang Kipgen, chief of Haibung village said that the unwarranted act of vandalism was committed by New Keithelmanbi villagers after some vested interest individuals instigated the chief of New Keithelmanbi.
There was no enmity between the two villages before, he said.
The Haibung village has been carved out from New Keithelmanbi village as per a gift deed signed between the then chief of New Keithelmanbi, (L) Tongngam Haokip and (L) Lunmang Kipgen, father of Thongminthang, on Jan 1, 1980 .
Haibung village came under the jurisdiction of Saitu-Gamphazol in 2010, he said.
Not long after, a show cause notice was served to Haibung village following a complaint lodged by New Keithelmanbi, he said.
On Feb 9, around 9 pm, some villagers of New Keithelmanbi went to Haibung village and threatened them, Thongminthang alleged.
It is very unfortunate that the villagers of Haibung came under attack when the case was put up before the area chiefs' association for discussion, he said.
Urging all concerned to maintain sanity and calm over the matter, Thongminthang appealed to the neighbouring villagers to refrain from such unwarranted incidents in future.
At the same time, a team of police from Keithelmanbi police outpost have been deployed in and around Haibung village following the vandalism reported to have taken place last night.