Imphal, May 26 2010: Villagers of Khurkhul and surrounding villages today staged a mass rally against the inclusion of Leimakhong area into the Sadar Hills.

Large numbers of villagers from Khurkhul, Senjam Chirang, Kanto Sabal and Chingmang started the mass rally from Khurkhul Lamkhai.

When they reached Leimakhoing Bazar, villagers of Kuki and Thadou communities residing there came out and blocked the rally.

Tension began to rise on both sides of villagers but timely intervention of Manipur Police and IRB personnel controlled the situation from taking a grim turn that may turned into bloodshed.

Villagers of Khurkhul and Senjam Chirang blocked the voters who came out for voting in the morning reacting to the inclusion of Leimakhong area, which is in the land revenue of the valley into the Sadar Hills areas.

The incident was occurred when the mass rally reached Leimakhong Bazar at around 1 pm.

According to Kh Dhanabati, President of Apunba Khurkhul Nupi Chaokhat Lup, Principal Secretary of the state government added Leimakhong area under the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council in the year 2009 under Gazette notification number 209, serial number 13.Leimakhong area is under the jurisdiction of Khurkhul village and included in the valley.

Villagers have been pressing the state government to stop giving new settlements in Khurkhul area.

Kuki populace who are on the run from the Kuki-Naga clash resided there and began to name new villages in their language, she said.

People are opposed against the inclusion of Leimakhong area in the Sadar Hills.

State government should not recognize these new villages.

People are not asking the Kukis to go away but they are demanding to protect valley areas.

President, Leimakhong Women Society, S Moinu said that the inclusion of Leimakhong area under Sadar Hills is the policy of the state government.

Tribal people residing in the area should not be taken responsible for this.

No one should disturb the tribal people residing here from casting vote in the ADC election.

There were incidents of destroying signboards displaying Sadar Hills in October last year.

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