Dispute over chieftaincy lands hundred in temporary camp on Christmas
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, December 24, 2013: A prolonged dispute over the chieftaincy of Tuinuphai village in Sangaikot area of Singngat sub-division has landed almost one hundred people in an edgy environment as they decided to celebrate Christmas at Zogal Hall, their temporary home after they were reportedly forced to leave their homestead.

The villagers' ordeal began when the 30 odd villagers left their village after a standoff on Saturday evening and sought refuge at Zogal Hall here.

A day later one Tongkhogin, one of the individual who claims chieftaincy, filed a case with the police claiming that Letsei Vaiphei, who also claims the chieftaincy and a group of his men armed with batons and guns had entered the village in two Tata Sumos and a Tata DI and threatened the villagers.

The report also alleged that one Thangboi, Defence Secretary of USRA was among them.

Briefing media later today, one Jamlal a relative of Tongkhogin claimed that on the order of the Deputy Commissioner the displaced villagers headed home today along with the OC of Sangaikot PS Thangzapau.

However, he said, when they reached the village, the OC along with an AR Major present there took the side of the other Chief and instead of making the villagers settled there made Letsei picked a handful of people with whom he wishes to celebrate Christmas.

As the villagers who were with the police team doubted the conduct of the OC, they claimed that they have returned to Zogal Hall and decided to celebrate Christmas there instead of leaving some people out on the whims of one of the man who claims the chieftaincy.

Jamlal further claimed that Letsei has duped the illiterate chief of Tuninuphai sometime in 2008 to obtain his signature for transferring the Chieftaincy.

He said the case was heard twice in the court of law and in both the cases Letsei had lost, adding this may be the reason he had resorted to forceful eviction of villagers, the very basis that lands the nearly hundred people in a rather odd place to celebrate Christmas.

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