Conflicting claims emerge after Longleng hit-and-run death and altercation, as organisations and unions present differing accounts of incident
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DIMAPUR — Conflicting accounts have emerged over an altercation near Pongo village in Longleng district on April 17, hours after a fatal hit-and-run incident involving a resident of Sakshi village.
According to sources, the victim died after being struck by a truck while returning from Sakshi Government High School earlier that afternoon.
The driver reportedly fled the scene, leaving behind the vehicle.
Meanwhile, in a joint condemnation letter, the Yimkhung Youth Organisation, Western Yimkhung Hoho, and Khongsa Area Public Organisation alleged that a mob attacked the vehicle of the president of the Yimkhung Tribal Council (YTC) near Pongo village the same evening.
The organisations claimed that the YTC president, who was returning to Shamator after attending an ENPO meeting in Mon town, was targeted by the mob, and that his driver was “badly thrashed”, sustaining a traumatic dental injury.
They further alleged that the mob threatened to burn the vehicle even after the president identified himself.
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Condemning the incident as “outrageous mob violence” and a “serious insult”, the organisations advised Yimkhiung citizens to refrain from travelling through Longleng district until the perpetrators are identified and action is taken.
They also appealed to law enforcement agencies to take up the matter on priority.
However, the Sakshi Laivangh Khong (Sakshi Students' Union) and the Eastern Yingnyu Students' Union (EYSU) issued a clarification on April 18, presenting a different account of the incident.
According to the SSU, the altercation occurred when a convoy carrying the deceased’s body stopped at the accident site to offer prayers.
The union stated that the vehicle carrying the YTC president attempted to overtake the stationary convoy and drove into the gathering instead of waiting.
Rejecting allegations of deliberate obstruction, the union stated that the gathering was temporary and customary, and that no one had acted with malicious intent.
It maintained that the YTC president’s vehicle was not attacked prior to the overtaking attempt and described the incident as a “spontaneous reaction” to reckless driving that endangered mourners.
The SSU further stated that the “moral responsibility” for triggering the incident lay with the alleged rash driving, while expressing regret over the escalation.
Reiterating its commitment to peace, the union called for dialogue and expressed readiness for a joint meeting under neutral facilitation.
Meanwhile, the EYSU extended a “heartfelt apology” to the YTC president, his driver, and the Yimkhiung community, while stressing that the incident should not disrupt the longstanding ties between the Phom and Yimkhiung communities.