IMPHAL, May 29: A major violent scuffle was averted when a Manipur police team encountered a group of villagers backed by armed village guards from Nagaland who intruded upon a hamlet under Jesami Police Station in Ukhrul district, according to police.
The incident occurred around noon yesterday at Tesechu Kholi Bokepo about 8 km from Akash Bridge located at the Manipur Nagaland border. Sources from Jessami said an amicable solution was brought between the leaders of Jessami and Meluri villages over a prolonged border dispute after a meeting at a BSF camp station nearby on May 3 last.
However, the villagers of Meluri numbering about 100 backed by village guards equipped with .303 rifles, double barrel and single barrel rifles infiltrated into the Jessami side up to about 4 km and later torched three truck loads of firewood kept there. The intruders also hoisted a number of red flags indicating their boundary.
A police team head by Lomason, SDPO Jessami rushed to the site to prevent them from causing further damage to the area and to overpower them, but the Meluri villagers backed by armed village guards took position and challenged the police team.
The SDPO angered by the provocative nature of the Meluri villagers immediately sent a message to the Ukhrul Superintendant of Police asking him to issue a firing order. He also called in reinforcements from 6 Manipur Rifles station at Jesami.
The Ukhrul SP informed his Phek district counterpart about the situation and then the Phek SP swiftly rushed to the site and controlled them following which the about one-hour long standoff was ended.
The Jessami villagers expressed disappointment as the BSF personnel did nothing when the Meluri villagers along with the armed village guards dared to infiltrate the border after crossing the Akash Bridge right under their nose.
The border village of Jessami has now become a vulnerable area because the border dispute could spark violence anytime, Eyete Wezah, Chairman of Jesami Village Council said.