More Konsakhul-Leilon like clashes likely in state
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 31, 2023 -

THE March 26 clash between residents of Konsakhul and Leilon Vaphei villages followed by charges and counter-charges over land ownership right testify that existing ambiguity in inter-village boundaries is fraught with great danger and could spark similar unwanted incidents.

With village chiefs having the final say when it comes to land ownership in the hills unlike in the state's valley areas where every family possesses document earmarking homestead, agricultural or commercial plots, it is obvious that in the hill villages with higher population would look to expand the area for settlement as well as sustenance.

Thus, the age-old practice of hill villages' boundaries defined and decided by the chiefs concerned is one of the factors that triggered the recent clash between the two villages in Kangpokpi district.

With years of high tension eventually leading to the violent showdown, it is time that either the government deploys security personnel in adequate strength to prevent further outbreak of violence or the civil society organisations intervene without which the sense of enmity will only deepen.

If no amicable solution could be brought to the Konsakhul-Leilon rivalry within the shortest possible time, then possibility of similar disputes and clashes in other parts of the state as well as the rival villagers waiting for the opportune moment to vent their angst on one another cannot be ruled out.

Days after the clash, Konsakhul village authority and several Liangmai organisations are contending that Leilon Vaiphei villagers are the guilty party, especially after the latter thrashed two villagers from Konsakhul and caused damaged to an excavator hired for road development work.

The other charges levelled against Leilon villagers include harassment of tourists headed for Konsakhul waterfall and pilgrims from Imphal en-route to a pilgrimage site.

The fury of Konsakhul villagers in the aftermath of the clash could also be comprehended from the village authority chairman branding Leilon villagers as illegal immigrants and demanding the government to book the culprits to avert imminent counter-measures including launch of intense agitation.

Interestingly, the chairman's observation that time has come for the government to wake up to the situation and resolve the problem while understanding the fact that immigrants cannot be placed on equal footing with the genuine indigenous communities of Manipur, assumes significance as official record confirmed unprecedented population growth in Kangpokpi and few other hill districts.

Regardless of the village authority's demand, it seems that the government wouldn't be in a position to act satisfactorily unless Konsakhul residents come forward as eye witnesses and identify the attackers and arsonists.

Moreover, initiation of punitive action against the Leilon villagers, if any, will only spark further outrage as the clash involved villagers from both sides.

Therefore, the only option left for the government is to reach out to civil societies of the two warring tribes and facilitate negotiated solution on the issue between the parties in dispute.

While role of the government would be limited to preventing further unwanted incidents, the Konsakhul-Leilon incident merits immediate involvement of influential civil societies to bring lasting solution to the land ownership dispute considering the fact that the clash broke out after protracted tension.