3 killed, at least 40 injured in violent clash between Ukhrul and Hundung over land dispute
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 02 2024: Three persons have been killed and at least 40 people injured in a violent clash between villages in Ukhrul district today.

The violent clash involving a gunfight that lasted about 3 hours erupted as a result of a land dispute between Hungpung (Hundung) and Ukhrul/Hunphun.

The three persons killed in the clash include a personnel of the 6th Manipur Rifles.

He has been identified as Worrinmi Thumra of Lunghar village.

The other two deceased have been identified as L Hongray and Silas Zingkhai, both from Ukhrul/Hunphun village.

Tension was still running high late into the evening even as high police officers from Imphal have rushed to Ukhrul.

3 killed, at least 40 injured in violent clash between Ukhrul and Hundung over land dispute

What led to the clash

Reportedly, a cleanliness drive as a part of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign initiated by the Thawaijao Hungpung Youth Students' Organization (THYSO) on a strip of disputed land from Ngaphar to Thingrasa in Ukhrul town triggered the clash.

Despite alleged opposition, the student body decided to go ahead with the planned cleanliness drive, which was apparently met with strong opposition from the Ukhrul/Hunphun village.

As the Ukhrul/Hunphun village alleged claim over the land, from Ngaphar to Thingrasa, it saw the cleanliness drive as an incursion on its land.

The cleanliness drive was supposed to be conducted from Hungsei (District Hospital) to Thingrasa.

When the cleanliness drive was on, a confrontation broke out between members of Hungpung (Hundung) and Ukhrul/Hunphun people at around 10.30 am at Thingrasa.

The confrontation quickly escalated with members of the two villages reportedly brandishing firearms.

A gunfight then ensued which lasted over 3 hours.

Even as three persons including one personnel of the 6th Manipur Rifles were killed in the cross firing, the clash left at least 40 persons injured.

At least 18 persons were brought to Ukhrul District Hospital while 22 were rushed to Leishiphung Christian Hospital.

Dozens of critically injured persons have been evacuated to hospitals in Imphal for treatment, said sources.

The situation in Ukhrul town is tense, and the district administration has imposed curfew to curb violence and further escalation.

Internet services have been suspended in the district for 24 hours beginning at 1.20 pm.

A century-old dispute

Meanwhile, a source who is familiar with the development said the dispute is nearly a century old.

The source said the disputed land was declared a "Neutral Zone" by then British SDO LL Peter.

"The then British SDO LL Peter decided to call the disputed land as Neutral Zone where both villages can enjoy the usufruct but can't claim the land as theirs," said the source.

The Neutral zone is a strip of land now called Pungreitang and Hamleikhong and many institutions such as the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Manipur Rifles, Circuit House and Fire Brigade etc are located here, said the source.

The area where the conflict started is more than what was designated as Neutral Zone and goes deeper into Ukhrul or Hunphun land, claims the source.

MLAs appeal for calm and peace

Even as Ukhrul town remains tense, elected Members from Ukhrul and Kamjong districts including Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, MLA Leishiyo Keishing and MLA Ram Muivah have appealed to the citizens of Hungpung (Hundung) and Hunphun (Ukhrul) for peace.

In a joint message to the people, the Minister and the MLAs said the incident today was unfortunate and the blood relation and love between the villages must not be torn apart by violence and anger.

"Dear beloved citizens of Hungpung and Hunphun, with a heart weighed down by sorrow, we stand before you today as one of your own, pleading for peace...

Our villages, bound together by blood, history and love, must not be torn apart by the fires of violence and anger.

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," said their message to the people.

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," they said, appealing to the people of both the villages against further escalation.

"Let compassion and reason guide us, not fury.

We are the custodians of our future, and that future must be one where peace reigns.

For the sake of our children, our elders, and the generations yet to come, let us choose peace and restrain violence and find a way to resolve the issue amicably through dialogue," they said, conveying "our deepest condolences" to the bereaved families.