Ugly development post land dispute between TNL and Ukhrul
Mob vandalises TNL office complex
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, April 16 2021: Even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC was on at Ukhrul town, the attempt of the Tangkhul Naga Long to hold its assembly session was thwarthed after a mob numbering in thousands descended on its office and ransacked it today morning.

Apart from vandalising the office complex of the TNL, the mob destroyed several properties including office documents.

At least four persons have been injured in police action.

Significantly, District Magistrate, Joseph Pauline Kamson had yesterday imposed prohibitions under Section 144 CrPc over a land dispute issue between the TNL and Hunphun (Ukhrul).

Earlier before the outrage today morning, the Hunphun/Ukhrul village authority had also made wide publicity across the town yesterday that the TNL shall not organise their assembly session within the jurisdiction of the district headquarters.

Sources said the Hunphun people were reportedly provoked when TNL Minganing (Assembly members) of several Tangkhul villages started arriving at the TNL office for the assembly session.

The situation soon turned tense and resulted in a violent flare up.

Reportedly, over 30 TNL Assembly members arrived for the session amid the prohibitions imposed under Section 144 CrPC in the town.

At around 11.30 am, the Hunphun/Ukhrul villagers, numbering in thousands, stormed the TNL office complex by overpowering the security personnel deployed in the area.

The altercation between the police and the villagers lasted more than two hours.

In a bid to control the growing mob, the security personnel fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse them.

However, the mob managed to break the security line and vandalized the TNL office, hall, assembly affairs office and also destroyed properties and documents that were in the office.

The situation was brought under control after the arrival of additional security forces.

Notably, this incident came after the Tangkhul Naga Long ex-communicated .

Hunphun/Ukhrul on March 10 over a land dispute.

The Hunphun/Ukhrul villagers had asserted that, as per Tangkhul customary laws, once Khangareng or ex-communicated, all.

ties (with the TNL) should be severed.

The Hunphun people also saw the TNL's plan to hold its assembly session within the jurisdiction of Ukhrul as an infringement and superseding the rights and authority of the village.

This had aggravated the public into taking up the violent actions today to prevent the TNL from holding the assembly, said observers.

The villagers also claimed that the district Court had issued an injunction order in a suit pertaining to the land dispute issue.

Meanwhile, Ukhrul police have stepped up security in the area and conducted spot verification.

The police have also sealed off the office of the TNL.

Though the situation in Ukhrul seems normal, tension still remains high in the minds of Ukhrul denizens.

It may be mentioned that one Executive Magistrate was assigned for duty to maintain order in the town.

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