Pochury bodies urge settlement of land dispute

• Mimi Circle Joint Council alleges violations of government restraining order
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• DIMAPUR — Various Pochury organisations have called for immediate settlement of the dispute that had resulted in violence, including gunfire, in the Kiphire-Meluri border on March 28.
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• In a letter addressed to the deputy commissioner of Meluri, the organisations alleged that early in the morning on March 28, “armed miscreants of Mimi circle” had come with automatic and semi-automatic weapons, threatened, and chased away the villagers/workers of Sütsü and Laruri “who were camped in the worksite for collection of timber and pine root.”
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• “Consequent upon, the villagers/labourers left their camp and proceeded to their village. But to their utter surprise, the miscreants ambushed them and started firing indiscriminately at them near Tizü bridge, causing injury and damage to the vehicle they were travelling with.

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• “As a result, three individuals sustained bullet injuries, and one was physically manhandled along with seizure of his gadgets and cash and even assaulted with rifle butt,” it stated.
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• While condemning the violent act, the organisations appealed to the authority concerned to intervene immediately and settle the long-pending land dispute amicably. They also demanded punishment for the culprits, justice and compensation for the victims.
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• They informed the DC that three paddy field huts were torched down after the firing; one house burnt to ashes near Tizü Bridge; one resting shed was destroyed; two chainsaws were completely destroyed at the worksite; and one pick-up truck suffered damages from the firing.
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• The organisations appealed for necessary measures and security personnel deployment to control and normalise the situation in the area. “Failure to take necessary action may lead to further escalation of the situation,” the letter read.
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• Meanwhile, the Mimi Circle Joint Council (MCJC) issued a press release stating that the respective additional deputy commissioners of Pungro and Meluri had issued restraining orders—respectively dated July 28, 2020; May 10, 2023; and May 12, 2023—prohibiting any activity in the dispute area.
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• “However, the Laruri-Sütsü village had been constructing roads in the dispute area since 2022 in total violation of the government order. Despite the order, they continually collect timbers, firewood, and other resources.
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• “In addition, they used to burn forests and agricultural fields on a daily basis, the latest being on 20th and 25th March, 2025. Their repeated blatant violations have been responded to with genuine attempts to peacefully intervene and discourage such unlawful actions. Unfortunately, our appeals have been ignored, further escalating the region,” it stated.
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• The council alleged that said have exacerbated the situation, “particularly with the presence of armed individuals, creating unnecessary tension” and contributing to the March 28 violence.
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• “We place on record that Mimi Circle Joint Council had on several occasions requested the district administration, reminded repeated violations of the restraining order dated 22nd April 2022, 31st May 2022, and 21st March 2023.
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• “The construction of the road in the dispute area is illegal when there is restraining order in force. When they have unilaterally and repeatedly violated restraining order, we have every right to intervene and respond befittingly as deemed fit,” it stated.
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• The council claimed that on March 28, they had requested the workers to leave the dispute area.
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• “However, the adamant attitude of some armed individuals/workers was beyond comprehension; had they been responsive and cordial in their dealings, this unfortunate incident might not have happened. No sophisticated weapons were used as alleged in the print media.
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• It may be mentioned that the present dispute has been dragging on since the 1980s. We are not aware that Phokhungri Area Public Organisation is a stakeholder in our land dispute,” it stated.