ZMA clarifies on October 10 Zaonger violence

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 12 (MExN): The Zaonger Mihkhung Arihako (ZMA) has issued an account of the events leading to the October 10 arson incident at Zaonger village. A press release from the ZMA said the incident stemmed from a “longstanding internal dispute between members of the two communities,” which escalated into a confrontation resulting in damage to property and the displacement of residents.

According to the ZMA, the dispute was referred to a District Customary Court constituted by the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire in April 2025, following directions from the Commissioner of Nagaland. The court was formed in accordance with Point 3 of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and the Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) during the recognition of the Tikhir tribe.

The MoU states, “That the subject of any dispute/issue between the members of the two brother tribes should be localized, and resolved through customary laws and practices and status quo will be maintained.” The ZMA said the customary court, on May 14, 2025, directed the Zaonger Village Council to advance Rs 25,000 towards the final traditional oath-taking ceremony. While the amount was paid, the final stage of the settlement remained pending.

It further stated that the Joint Coordination Committee of Zaonger village submitted a 45-day ultimatum to the State Government in December 2025, seeking resolution of the dispute under the MoU. According to the ZMA, no appropriate action followed the representation.

The ZMA union claimed that 73 individuals who had “identified themselves as Tikhir” were subsequently “expelled” from village citizenship and directed to vacate the village along with their properties. It alleged that the directive had not been complied with.

Recounting the events preceding the violence, the ZMA said the Gaon Buras of Zaonger village visited the site on October 9 after learning that the Tikhir Tsonglak-Nyi Festival 2026 was being organised there for the following day. According to the statement, the Gaon Buras cautioned those preparing for the festival against proceeding with the event, citing a Zaonger Village Council standing order dated April 21, 2026, which directed the concerned expelled members to refrain from organising social, religious or other public programmes that could disturb the village's peaceful atmosphere.

The ZMA stated that officials from the Pungro district administration, accompanied by the Officer-in-Charge of Pungro Police Station, also visited the village on October 9 and met representatives of both sides. However, it alleged that festival preparations continued after the officials left, further aggravating tensions.

On the morning of October 10, a group of Tikhir-speaking individuals reportedly assembled for the proposed celebration, the ZMA claimed. It alleged that village residents approached the gathering and asked them to disperse and leave peacefully, citing the withdrawal of their village citizenship. According to the statement, an argument followed. The exchange escalated into a verbal confrontation, followed by what the ZMA described as “minor vandalism” at a house, after which the individuals reportedly left the village.

The ZMA further alleged that a voice message circulated on WhatsApp, which “heightened tensions and contributed to the escalation of the situation in Pokphur and Longtsonger villages.” The ZMA stated that it subsequently learnt that houses belonging to members of the Yimkhiung community at Pokphur village had been set on fire. It said the incident further aggravated tensions at Zaonger.

“In the aftermath, the Zaonger village public retaliated by setting fire to some houses belonging to the expelled members at Zaonger village,” the statement said, while expressing regret over the escalation of violence.

Clarifying its position on the festival, the ZMA stated that it had no objection to the Tikhir community celebrating the Tsonglak-Nyi Festival outside Zaonger village. However, it considered the celebration by “individuals expelled from village citizenship, while continuing to claim affiliation with Zaonger, to be unwarranted.” The ZMA maintained that the village authority was pursuing a localised and peaceful settlement of the dispute.