Damaged vehicles, police personnel and civilians seen at the site of the violent confrontation following a land dispute, at Maova village, Chümoukedima district, on February 13. The clash resulted in arson, vandalism and injuries to several individuals. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 13
The picturesque Maova village on the Jalukie road became the scene of a violent confrontation on February 13. The cause of the confrontation was a simmering land dispute boiling over, resulting in arson, vandalism, and injuries to several individuals. Among the injured were two government officials— a police constable and the EAC of Medziphema, Chümoukedima district.
The clash occurred around 10:00 am between volunteers of the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and residents of Maova village. There were counter-claims from both sides with the former accusing Maova villagers of stone-pelting a CPO team, using women and children as human-shield. The Maova village leaders, in turn, alleged the CPO of instigating violence without provocation.
The alleged initial confrontation led to the CPO youth volunteers vandalising the Maova village Gaonbura’s residence and several vehicles, including an earth excavator, parked in his residential compound. A village community hall, a guest house, and several shops that lined the road to Jalukie (NH 129A) were set afire. Atleast one car, said to belong to the Maova village council chairman, and 2-wheelers parked on the road were also burned in the arson.
The land dispute in question includes two small plots that fall right beside NH 129A, which both sides claim as theirs. Some half-built structures on these two plots were also torn down during the violence. Erection of the temporary structures by the Maova villagers on the disputed plots reportedly served as the spark for the violence that played out on Friday morning.
Addressing a press conference following the incident, in Chümoukedima, CPO President Zhato Kimho claimed that the organisation had intervened after receiving complaints that landowners, primarily Angamis, were being prevented from developing land they had purchased in Maova and surrounding villages. The CPO said that landowners were barred from developing the lands they bought allegedly under the Maova village GB’s order.
“We gave them until December 25 to remove illegal construction on people’s land. They did not acknowledge our letter at all,” Kimho said, referring to a “notice” that was said to have been served by the CPO regarding alleged encroachments by the village authority on sold plots.
The CPO claimed their team went to the village for dialogue but was welcomed with violence. “Instead of welcoming us, they started hitting us with rocks and stones,” Kimho said, alleging it was pre-planned.
According to him, the arson was a retaliatory act by provoked youths, who were called up, after the alleged initial attack on the CPO officials. It further led to the youth volunteers vandalising the GB’s house and the subsequent burning of some vehicles and a row of shops. Kimho said that 24 CPO youth volunteers also sustained injuries, and three of their vehicles were damaged.
These all happened allegedly in the presence of police personnel.
The Maova villagers contested the CPO’s narrative. Maova village GB, Seiboi Changsan termed the incident as an attack by a large mob. He claimed that around a 1000 people descended on the village overwhelming the small security personnel that were present.
“I heard the news that a lot of vehicles were coming from outside... I informed the administration," the Maova GB told the media. He listed five two-wheelers, five four-wheelers, and an earth excavator as destroyed within his residential compound. “They damaged all my property... They broke everything in the common room and bedrooms,” he said.
The Maova Village Council Chairman (VCC), Sutminlal Vaiphei stated that while there was a land issue near the Chathe Bridge that began last year, the village had replied to the CPO's previous notice. He expressed shock at the escalation. “We thought they were coming to talk, but an unfortunate situation unfolded,” he said. According to him, village leaders were in discussion with the EAC and Dobashis at the GB's house when clashes erupted outside.
The VCC estimated that around 10 structures were burned or damaged. “Fighting like this, community against community or village against village, doesn't feel right,” Vaiphei said, urging for government intervention to resolve the dispute.
CPO Vice President Sebastian Zumvü alleged that the villagers’ were in “belligerent” mode when their team reached. He held that they were provoked into calling for “reinforcement” (youths) after they were first attacked. According to him, the land on which Maova village sits traditionally belongs to the Angami.
The CPO’s Finance Secretary, Zasivikho Zakiesato clarified that the day’s incident should not be viewed from a tribal lens. According to him, “There are certain people from the (Maova) village trying to create issues.”
Appeal for restraint
According to a press release from the Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur, the situation escalated at approximately 10:30 am when a gathering of around 2000 persons engaged in physical scuffles and stone-pelting.
During the incident, EAC Medziphema and two security personnel sustained injuries. One NAP (IR) personnel was hospitalised with a serious head injury. The mob vandalised nine houses and three shops, and set fire to eight shops, a community hall, a youth office, and a council guest house. More than 30 LPG cylinders exploded during the fires, and 21 vehicles were damaged, three of which were torched. No casualties were reported.
The release said that security reinforcements and fire tenders brought the situation under control by 11:30 am. The CP condemned the violence and said that necessary security measures were in place in the affected area. Normal traffic movement on the Jharnapani-Jalukie road (NH 129A) resumed by afternoon.
While it appealed to the public to maintain peace and exercise restraint, citizens were advised against unlawful assembly and the dissemination of unverified information via social media. Community leaders and organisations were requested to cooperate with the district administration to ensure harmony.
A DIPR report stated 48 people were injured from both parties during the course of violence.
Dy CM Patton calls for dialogue
Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton expressed concern regarding the incident at Maova village on February 13. He appealed to communities and organisations to exercise restraint and allow peace to be restored through lawful means. Patton called on involved bodies to avoid confrontation and use dialogue, customary law, and district administration for dispute resolution. He said, “These institutions exist precisely to resolve disputes of this nature without harm to any community.”
He noted that authorities have brought the situation under control and urged cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Patton also directed the administration to maintain security in the area and address the grievances of affected individuals.
