Ukhrul village rubbishes Hungpung village's charge

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Oct 9: The Ukhrul/Hunphun village has rubbished charges levelled against it of attacking a cleanliness drive on October 2, and urged the Government to expedite a Court case pending in the Civil Judge junior Division, Imphal.
This came after a violent clash on October 2 over a disputed land killed 4 people and injured at least 40.
Addressing a press conference held by the Ukhrul/Hunphun village frontal organisation at the Village Court Awungtang, headman HA Khayaiwo highlighted the details of the incidents that led to the violent clash on October 2 at Viewland, Ukhrul town.
The headman asserted that Ngaphar--a buffer or a neutral zone-is the traditional boundary between Ukhrul/Hunphun and Hungpung village.
He said the neutral zone covers some areas of Dungrei and Phungreitang.
The headman stated that in 1979, the Manipur Government issued a Gazette notification about the said land (Neutral Zone) and declared it as Khas land.
The Ukhrul village had then contested the declaration in the Court while the Hungpung village appeared as a third party in favour of the State Government.
Consequently, the High Court in 1995 quashed the State Government Gazette notification and directed a lower Court for declaration of the title suit. Since then, the Ukhrul village has been pursuing titleship of the suit in the Court, said the headman.
Khayaiwo continued that in a separate initiative of NSCN (IM) under the leadership of Ato Kilonser Th Muivah, both the villages verbally agreed in principle to demarcate the boundary at Sabh Oknapham Hamleikhong in 2010.
Meanwhile, K Raleng convenor of the Ukhrul Land Committee stated that the Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students' Organization (THYSO) created a volatile situation by violating "our land rights and the prohibitory order."
According to him, the Ukhrul/Hunphun Village Authority served an official notification on October 1 against public participation in the cleanliness drive scheduled for the next day.
Further, the village authority cautioned authorities concerned not to organise the cleanliness drive beyond the boundary of their village as the area from Ngaphar to Thingrasa "fall under Ukhrul/Hunphun jurisdiction".
Raleng added that the village authority also submitted a petition to the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul informing about the seriousness of the situation and for intervention to avert any unwanted incident.
On Wednesday (October 2) morning, a joint meeting attended by representatives from Ukhrul/Hunphun village, SDO, Ukhrul Dinringam Kamei, Addl SP Ringthing Hongchui and 18 AR Officers chaired by SP Karthik Malathi was held in his office chamber.
"The meeting mutually agreed in principle that THYSO youths will not cross Ngaphar, and at the same time the Ukhrul villagers will also abide by the decision of the joint meeting," Raleng said.
Even as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate had clamped prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS, the THYSO youths allegedly stormed the police barricades armed with lethal weapons and were roaming around the disputed area inside Phungreitang, Ukhrul, Raleng said.
Despite the prohibitory order, the THYSO went ahead with their planned cleanliness drive, and their armed men stationed themselves at Viewland Baptist Church compound, the Church tower and other tall buildings in the area, claimed Raleng.
Prior to the incident, he claimed, that THYSO released a video taunting Ukhrul/Hunphun people to show up for the shoot out.
After learning that THYSO youths had already stormed the barricades and intruded into Phungreitang area, the Ukhrul/Hunphun youths "with good intention to stop and prevent the cleanliness drive rushed to the area."
"Upon reaching the Viewland Church area of Ukhrul town, miscreants ambushed and fired indiscriminately upon the approaching crowd at around 10.30 am," said Raleng.
"The indiscriminate firing lasted over 15 minutes. They shot at 28 persons and killed three persons on the spot including one 6th MR personnel," said Raleng.
The president of Ukhrul/Hunphun Women Organisation, LS Timwon stated that the security personnel deployed at the site remained mute spectators and let the armed miscreants go scott free without any intervention to control the situation.
Subsequently, an enraged mob rushed to Ukhrul police station demanding it to intervene and contain the violence. The police however, shut the gate and started firing upon the mob, claimed Timwon.
Defenceless, and out of desperation, the mob barged into the police station and snatched weapons for self defence. After the incident, the weapons have been returned to the police, Timwon said.
A condemnation statement from the Viewland Baptist Church (VBC) mentions that armed miscreants evicted the Church staff to take position and ambush the Ukhrul youths, she said.
She continued that amid the violence, the Ukhrul youths showing restraint helped rescue three THYSO armed men who were locked inside VBC.
She further claimed that after the incident of October 2, the residents of Ukhrul/Hunphun village are unable to reach the District Hospital located at Hungpung for any health services.
The Ukhrul/Hunphun Frontal Organization composed of Hunphun VAs, women organization, student body and Ukhrul/Hunphun Executive Council demanded punishment of the SDO, Ukhrul for not executing prohibitory orders and allowing the cleanliness drive.
They demanded action against SP Ukhrul for complete failure of law and order in the town.
They urged the police to immediately arrest THYSO president Hubert Lunghar and Shanching Yanao, environment secretary for allegedly inciting violence in Ukhrul town.