25 injured, govt office torched in Manipur during clash between 2 Naga villages

NEW DELHI: Prohibitory orders have been imposed in parts of Manipur’s Tamenglong district following a violent clash between two Naga villages over a land dispute that left at least 25 people injured, including 12 security personnel, officials said on Thursday.

The violence erupted on Wednesday evening when around 2,000 residents of Old Tamenglong village were marching towards the offices of the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to submit a memorandum related to the boundary issue, officials said.

Residents of Dailong village allegedly hurled stones at the procession, triggering a clash. Villagers from Duigailong also reportedly joined the violence in support of Dailong, they added.

During the confrontation, the inspection bungalow of the Public Works Department (PWD) was set ablaze. Police used tear gas shells to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control.

Officials confirmed that at least 25 people, including 12 security personnel, sustained injuries in the incident.

In response to the unrest, restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed in the Tamenglong district headquarters and the adjoining areas of Dailong, Duigailong, and Old Tamenglong. The prohibitory orders will remain in force until further notice, the official notification said.

An official based in Imphal clarified that the conflict was a result of a long-standing boundary dispute between the two Naga villages. "It has no connection with the ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis that began in May 2023," the official added.

(With inputs from agencies)