IMPHAL, Jun 20: At least five individuals sustained injuries and four houses have been razed to the ground as tensions flared up between the people of two villages falling under Tengnoupal district.
According to a police source, violence erupted between the villagers of Machi and Khudei Khuman at around 10.30 am today resulting in the injury of five villagers of Machi.
The injured individuals have been identified as Ch Todar (34) w/o Mathew, P Muishangdan (37) w/o Angam, K Temuisim (40) w/o Anga, DK Shangkhai (40) w/o Mering and M Angmun (46) s/o (l) Angdun.
Three of the injured persons have been rushed to Shija Hospitals. Following this, villagers of Machi set ablaze four houses at Khudei Khuman, it added.
The source pointed out that Tengnoupal District Magistrate has imposed CrPC 144 in the area covering Khudei Khuman Lamkhai, Kangoi Khullen, Phungchong, Chingjaroi, Khudei Khuman and the areas connecting Khudei Khuman Lamkhai to Kangoi Khullen and additional Tengnoupal district police and 18 AR personnel have been deployed to prevent further unwanted incident.
The order further instructed the people of the said areas to take permission from the District Magistrate or the SP in case of emergencies or occasions like marriage, meetings etc.
On the other hand, the Maring Uparup Assembly has issued a press release condemning the incident between the two villages and added that the flare up was due to a dispute over land.
It stated that some villagers of Khudei Khuman destroyed around 10 banana farms of Machi yesterday.
When the womenfolk of Machi village went to compromise with Khudei Khuman village today morning regarding the incident, they were attacked with licensed gun near the entrance of Khudei Khuman village and three women were injured, it claimed and added that enraged villagers of Machi set fire to 10 houses of Khudei Khuman village.
It further appealed to the people of the two villagers to reach an amicable solution at the earliest and restore peace and tranquillity in the region.
On the other hand, the Khudei Khuman Village Authority has issued a statement squarely accusing the Machi villagers of burning down all the houses and properties including the village Church today at about 10 am.
The Assam Rifles personnel posted at Machi remained silent and did not intervene at all, it alleged and added that all the villagers are now homeless without proper food and shelter.
As news of the flare up spread, a Thoubal police team has rushed to the place and have stationed themselves at SDO Machi office.
Source: The Sangai Express
