Land dispute takes ugly turn, at least 10 hurt in Tamenglong
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2025: Tension gripped Tamenglong district headquarters today after a land dispute took a violent turn with residents of two villages clashed and pelted stones at one another.

At least 10 people were injured in the violent confrontation.

The violent confrontation that hurt several persons broke out between residents of Dailong and Old Tamenglong.

A guest house of the Public Works Department in the district Headquarters was also burnt amid the violent confrontation.

District Magistrate, Dr L Angshim Dangshawa has imposed curfew in the district headquarters under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) until further orders.

Sources said the boundary dispute has been there for some time, but it escalated today after residents taking part in rallies, organised by the two villages came face to face.

While Dailong has claimed ownership of the land where Old Tamenglong residents are settled now, the residents of the Old Tamenglong claim that they are the first settlers of Tamenglong and the land belongs to them.

Sources said there was a mobilization by some youths of Dailong claiming ownership of the disputed land some days ago, and it provoked a confrontation between residents of the villages.

While tension was already there, sources said, a rally planned by Dailong village today prompted the Old Tamenglong village to call a counter-rally.

Old Tamenglong issued a notice at around 10 am today to shut Tamenglong market.

The residents gathered at the market for a public meeting.

When Dailong residents started their rally, the Old Tamenglong residents tried to carry out a counter-rally.

The residents of the two villages came face to face, and the confrontation then escalated quickly with the residents involved in brawls and pelting stones at one another.

Another source said the residents of Old Tamenglong were marching towards the DC and SP Tamenglong office to submit a memorandum on the land dispute when residents of Dailong started pelting stones at them.

Amid the escalating violence, protesters burnt a guest house of the PWD near Rani Bazar.

The violent confrontation between the residents of the two villages hurt at least 10 persons.

The injured have been rushed to the District Hospital for treatment.

Police and Central security forces fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

While curfew has been imposed, additional security forces have been rushed to the district headquarters.

Meanwhile, leaders of Rongmei civil society organisations have stepped in to maintain peace.

The organisations have urged the villages to settle the dispute peacefully through dialogues.

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