Hunphun VA blames Govt for Oct 2 incident
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, October 09 2024: Hunphun Village Authority has pointed to failure of the district administration in averting the tragic October 2 incident which left four people dead and many injured, and spelt out a charter of demands.

Briefing the media at the village court hall on Wednesday, Hunphun headman HA Khayaiwo stated that the tragic incident could have been averted had the district administration taken stringent preventive measures.

He pointed out that in view of the THYSO planning to conduct a cleanliness drive at the disputed area of Thingrasa, which is under Hunphun jurisdiction, on October 2, despite strong opposition from Hunphun, the Hunphun VA had apprised the district administration on October 1, citing possibility of conflict eruption.

According Khayaiwo, a prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS was imposed on the disputed area between Ngaphar and Thingrasa on October 2.Despite this, the youth from Hungpung managed to breach the security barricades and enter the disputed area, he rued.

He called on authorities concerned to transfer the Ukhrul SP and SDO for their failure to prevent the avoidable violence.

While noting that the violent incident was not directly a result of the land dispute, Khayaiwo stated, "Rather, it was triggered by THYSO's planned cleanliness drive.

So, we urge the authorities to take necessary action against THYSO president and secretary for their role in the incident" .

At the same time, the Hunphun chief appealed to the state government to provide government job to the spouses of the two Hunphun victims as well the spouse of the 6th MR personnel, while also seeking necessary government assistance to all those injured in the conflicts.

He reiterated that Hunphun people didn't shoot the MR personnel as claimed elsewhere.

Khayaiwo went on to urge the state authorities to make the factual details of the matter public, referencing the order issued by then Ukhrul SDO LL Peter on October 28, 1922, and the subsequent order by former Ukhrul SDO TC Tiankham on September 8, 1952, while also calling for swift resolution of the pending court case in the civil judge junior division.

Attending the press conference, a Hunphun public leader namely Khayui Raleng alleged that THYSO attempted to assert demarcation of the disputed area under the guise of a cleanliness drive leading to the bloodshed.

He said that Hunphun has consistently maintained the understanding of keeping the disputed spot as a neutral zone and rejected claims that a Hunphun mob disrupted the drive at Thingrasa which falls within Hunphun's jurisdiction, while adding that they had been ambushed before reaching the spot.

Chipping in, Hunphun Shanao Long president Timwon L Shimray stated that the October 2 incident was not a war but rather conflicts stemming from misunderstandings regarding the land boundary, which were caused by administrative lapses.

Regarding the arms looting, she clarified that the Hunphun mob was not looting arms but was acting out of frustration due to lack of security for the public.

Hunphun elders at the press conference also expressed that the October 2 incident was among the most embarrassing in Tangkhul history.

They noted that the two villages were the first among the Tangkhuls to embrace Christianity, and that these villages should set examples of peaceful coexistence.

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