Three die, many hurt in Ukhrul clashes, net snapped
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 02 2024: Three persons including a rifleman of 6th Bn Manipur Rifles (MR) were killed while many villagers suffered injuries after clashes broke out between residents of two neighbouring localities in the heart of Ukhrul town on Wednesday over conduct of cleanliness drive in connection with Gandhi Jayanti in a disputed area.

The event, aimed at promoting civic responsibility and fostering community ties, suddenly became a flashpoint for violence when individuals from a village reportedly opened fire on the social workers of the other village engaged in the activity.

Caught off-guard and unarmed, the social workers were forced to retreat, and several were seriously injured in the attack.

To prevent further clash and restore normalcy, Ukhrul district administration has clamped restriction under Section 163 of BNSS and imposed complete ban on mobile internet including broadband service in the district.

The deceased have been identified as MR rifleman Worrinmi Thumra of Lunghar village, and Silas Zingkhai and L Hongrei, both of Hunphun village, Ukhrul.

The clash between villagers of Hungpung and Hunphun broke out around 10.30 am Wednesday during a one-day cleanliness drive organised by Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students' Organisation (THYSO) on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at Thingrasa Viewland.

Thingrasa Viewland area being disputed for many years between the two villages, Hunphun village authority imposed ban on conduct of the cleanliness drive.

While THYSO volunteers were conducting the cleanliness drive at the disputed area since morning, Hunphun villagers came and obstructed the cleanliness drive thereby resulting in intense verbal duel and physical fight.

As the brawl escalated, villagers of both the sides used firearms.

Many people were injured in the bring while Worrinmi Thumra and two villagers critically injured succumbed few hours later.

Among the injured was another MR rifleman and a police serviceman of Ukhrul district.

In addition to district police, Central forces deployed in the district rushed to the spot and controlled locals of both the villages.

Villagers injured in the clash were rushed to Ukhrul district hospital with some later shifted to hospitals in Imphal including at RIMS and JNIMS while the body of deceased MR Rifleman has been deposited at JNIMS morgue for post mortem.

Meanwhile, the district administration imposed restriction under Section 163 of BNSS in the disputed area, Thingrasa and Nagafar.

An order in this regard was issued by Ukhrul sub-divisional magistrate specifying that the restriction shall be effective from 9.30 am of October 2 until further order though relaxed for security agencies and essential services.

Meanwhile, three Tangkhul Naga legislators appealed to both the villages to exercise maximum restraint and resolve the issue through dialogue.

In a joint appeal, minister Khashim Vashum, and MLAs Ram Muivah and Leishiyo Keishing deeply condoled the death of three people in the incident and called for bringing peace.

Stating that anger and violence must be shunned by both villages bound by blood, history and love, the legislators said: "We are not just neighbours, we are family.

Our ancestors walked these same paths, shared their dreams, their hardships and their joy.

Let us not allow this moment to shatter what generations have built.

No victory can be found in the pain of our brothers and sisters.

Let us pause, reflect and remember that our strength lies in unity, not division.

Every heart that bleeds today is a wound on our shared soul" .

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