'Kukis encroaching on Nagas' land'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2025: The Chawangkining Village Authority has accused three "unrecognized" Kuki settlements of encroaching on its jurisdiction and laying false claim of ownership of the land.

The three "unrecognized" Kuki settlements" - Khollen, Saikot and West Haipi - have encroached on the legally demarcated jurisdiction of the Chawangkining village, and they have erected village signboards "falsely" claiming ownership of the land, said the Chawangkining Village Authority in a statement released to the media today.

"These unauthorized settlements have unlawfully erected village signboards and are falsely claiming ownership of land that rightfully belongs to Chawangkining Naga Village.

Such misleading actions, including the installation of boundary stones, are entirely unacceptable and must be removed without delay," it said.

The village authority added that there have been deliberate attempts by the three "unrecognized" villages to misrepresent and lay claim on the land belonging to the Chawangkining village.

A stone marker has been erected falsely asserting that their villages were established in 1980.However, official records and ground realities confirm that there were no households in the area when Chawangkining Naga Village was formally recognized by the Government of Manipur in 2002, said the village authority.

Also, West Haipi Village, which is now falsely claiming ownership of the land within the Chawangkining village boundaries, was originally located below Maohing Kuki Village, and it was led by late Tilkothang as its chief, it said.

Following the demise of the chief, a new village signboard bearing the name "West Haipi" was arbitrarily erected within the Chawangkining Naga jurisdiction without any legal recognition or official approval, added the village authority.

Furthermore, these unrecognized settlements are receiving developmental benefits from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi district, by misrepresenting themselves as recognized villages.

This fraudulent practice has led to serious administrative confusion and has unjustly deprived legitimate beneficiaries of their rightful access to Government schemes and development programmes, asserted the village authority.

The district administration and all relevant authorities must conduct an immediate and impartial ground verification, and uphold the legal and territorial integrity of Chawangkining Naga Village.

Further, the authorities concerned must stop the diversion and misuse of Government resources by these unauthorized settlements, said the village authority, anticipating swift actions.

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