Kohima, Feb. 13: At least 26 people were injured in a violent clash triggered by a long-standing land dispute in Nagaland’s Chumoukedima district on Friday, officials said.
The incident occurred in Moava village under the Medziphema sub-division during the morning hours, leading to injuries to government personnel and local residents.
Police said the situation has since been brought under control. Security forces have been deployed in the area and traffic movement has returned to normal.
“The situation is presently under control. Security forces have been deployed, and normal traffic movement has been restored. The public is advised to maintain peace and not to take the law into their own hands,” a police spokesperson said.
According to the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO), tensions had been building for several years over allegations that legitimate landowners were being prevented from carrying out construction and agricultural activities, while unauthorized structures were being erected on some plots in Moava and nearby areas.
The organisation said it had issued a notice to the village authorities on December 2, setting a December 25 deadline for the removal of alleged illegal constructions. However, it claimed that the notice was not complied with and construction continued.
CPO president Zhato Kimho said a delegation of the organisation visited the village to hold discussions with the village headman and chairman but was stopped by a group of around 70–80 people. The situation escalated after stone-pelting broke out, injuring the Extra Assistant Commissioner of Medziphema, a police constable and about two dozen youths.
Officials said the violence intensified when a large number of youths entered the village, dispersed the crowd and allegedly set fire to several houses believed to have been built illegally. Some vehicles were also damaged in the unrest.
Kimho alleged that the organisation’s members had gone to resolve the issue peacefully and blamed local village authorities for provoking the confrontation. He also clarified that the incident did not represent a broader conflict between Angami and Kuki communities but involved specific individuals from the village.
Meanwhile, Moava village headman Seiboi Changsan said he had alerted the administration after learning that a large group was approaching the village. Although police and officials reached the spot, they were outnumbered and unable to prevent the violence.
Changsan alleged that the mob damaged public and private property, including a community hall, guest house, youth office, shops, several houses and multiple vehicles.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further escalation.
