Clash on Kiphire-Meluri district border

• Deputy Chief Minister Patton calls for peace and harmony

Y Patton, Kiusumew Yimchunger, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe and other state government officials during a visit to Naga Hospital in Kohima on Monday.

• DIMAPUR — In an unfortunate turn of events, a clash reportedly occurred on March 28 along the borders of Kiphire and Meluri districts.
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• Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, who also holds the Home and Border Affairs portfolios, visited an injured person receiving treatment at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) on Monday.
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• Patton was accompanied by MLA from 60th Pungro Assembly Constituency (AC), Kiusumew Yimchunger; MLA from 20th Meluri AC, Z Nyusietho Nyuthe; Commissioner Nagaland, Anden Konyak; DGP Nagaland, Rupin Sharma; IGP (Range), Jasbir Singh; Additional Commissioner, L Jamithung Lotha; and Home Commissioner, Vyasan R.
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• Speaking to journalists, Patton said, “It is very unfortunate to have this incident. But by the grace of God, the injured patient is out of danger now, as per the doctor's report.”
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• He informed that the state government has already assigned the two districts’ respective deputy commissioners to investigate and submit a report. In the backdrop of this incident, Patton appealed to the people of both districts to maintain peace and harmony in the area.
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• He said that the person admitted to the hospital had sustained a head injury, while three others with minor injuries have already been released from the hospital. Later, Patton wrote on his X handle, “Deeply disturbed by the recent reports of violence, reportedly among a few villages under Kiphire and Meluri districts. Such incidents not only disrupt peace but also harm the bonds that hold our communities together.”
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• He asserted that dialogue and understanding must prevail over conflict.
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• Preliminary report
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• According to a preliminary report gathered by Nagaland Police, the incident occurred on March 28 after 5.30 pm at a disputed area below Khongka village (near Laruri Bridge on Tizu River) under Pungro police station.
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• The land dispute reportedly was between Laruri village (including Sutsu village) and Mimi village (including the satellite villages of Mimi, like Mutingkhong, Kohongka, etc.).
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• The preliminary report stated that the incident happened when villagers from Laruri and Sutsu were constructing an approach road and cutting firewood in the disputed area.
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• Suspected persons from Mimi and its satellite villages “resorted to destruction of jungle huts and firing on these parties,” stated the report.
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• Twenty-three-year-old Ngutsa sustained a bullet injury to the head, while Azing and Ayowtsa received minor injuries—shot in the foot and the shoulder, respectively. Another person, Atsatho, was physically assaulted, the report added.
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• One platoon of NAP (IR) has been moved from Kiphire HQ for immediate deployment at the disputed area. It stated an additional company of NAP (IR) was deployed.
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• The report stated that SP Meluri was coordinating with Pochury Hoho to ensure the safety of travellers from Kiphire district to Kohima/Dimapur via Meluri district.