Three killed after villagers clash at Phangrei hill in Ukhrul
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Ukhrul/Imphal, June 30, 2012:
Three villagers were reported to have been killed after a violent clash between villagers of Lunghar and Sihai at Phangrei hill top - about 25km from Ukhrul town, while few others were also said to have sustained serious injury on Saturday.
The violent incident took place at about 1pm today - when Sihai youths, both men and women, who were picnicking at Phangrei hill top, a favourite tourist spot, were attacked by Lunghar villagers.
In the ensuing clash, a man identified as Lyton Khangrah (31) was killed on the spot, while two others namely Pamreiyo Khangrah (27) and Rawung Khangrah (31) later succumbed to injury in Ukhrul town as they were being taken for medical help.
The latter two were brothers while Rawung Khangrah was said to be a policeman posted in Ukhrul.
Seriously injured victims have been rushed to Imphal for treatment while other victims are being treated at Ukhrul District Hospital.
Among the injured, the condition of one K Ngacheimi (27) of Sihai is stated to be critical.
A number of injured persons, on both sides, could not be ascertained till the time of filing this report.
However, Ramnganing (23) and Ngachami (15) of Lunghar village were among those who sustained injuries.
According to information received by Hueiyen Lanpao, this morning a misunderstanding cropped up after picnickers from Sihai village refused to pay visitation fee at the registration booth manned by Lunghar villagers at the base of Phangrei hill.
Consequently, at around noon, a mob from Lunghar village came and attacked the picnickers on the hill top.
For the past many years, Phangrei hill range has been a bone of contention between the Lunghar and Sihai.
There has been a longstanding dispute over the land - a popular spot for local tourists all the year round.
However, the tourist site that boasts of a vast emerald meadow is presently being managed by Lunghar villagers.
After a quarrel in the morning at Phangrei base, Lunghar villagers allegedly sounded a beacon bell and gathered at a village, which is situated along National Highway 150.Later, around 100 villagers from Lunghar armed with guns, swords, machetes and sticks went up to attack the Sihai picnickers.
When the news reached Sihai village, a large number of armed Sihai villagers also rushed in to rescue of their victim villagers.
A serious clash erupted between the villagers of the two villages leaving many injured.
Police who tried to enter the spot was stopped midway by armed villagers.
However, they manage to reach the site later in the evening with more reinforcement and took stock of the situation.
As precautionary measure towards preventing the bloody clash from spreading among the villagers of Sihai and Lunghar who are staying at Ukhrul district headquarter, a large number of security personnel have been posted there.
Meanwhile, tension in both the villages is reported to be high.
Locals are gathering and guarding their respective villages.
With fear lurking of the situation getting worsens; intervention of higher authorities has been sought.
On the other hand, police is also keeping a close watch over the situation and carefully guarding the two villages.
The bodies of the three victims have been picked up and kept at Ukhrul District Police station as it would be dangerous to keep the bodies in the District Hospital.
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