At least 22 people, including 12 security personnel, were injured on Wednesday following a violent clash over a land boundary dispute among three villages—Dailong, Duigailong, and Old Tamenglong—in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, police said.
The violence erupted around 12:30 p.m. near the Tamenglong district headquarters, shortly after a large gathering marched to the offices of the district magistrate and superintendent of police to submit a memorandum demanding resolution of the long-standing boundary issue. The unrest is linked to a recent court order dated April 15, 2024, by the civil judge (senior division) in Tamenglong, which directed the formation of a commission to address the territorial dispute between Old Tamenglong and Dailong.
The protest began peacefully with a public meeting held at a tea plantation area in Tamenglong Khunjao (Old Tamenglong) around 11 a.m. However, tensions escalated after an unidentified individual, allegedly from Dailong village, began pelting stones at the crowd. This act triggered a violent confrontation between two groups, prompting a swift response from security personnel.
Security forces, including civil police, Manipur Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), used tear gas and mock bombs in an attempt to disperse the mob and restore order. Amid the chaos, protesters set fire to the Public Works Department (PWD) inspection bungalow in Tamenglong.
According to police, the injured include 14 villagers and 12 security personnel—comprising eight civil police officers, two Manipur Rifles personnel, and two CRPF officers. All injured individuals are reported to be in stable condition and are receiving treatment.
In response to the unrest, the district magistrate of Tamenglong imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The order bans large gatherings, the carrying of weapons, and any activities that could disrupt peace in Tamenglong and the surrounding villages of Dailong, Duigailong, and Old Tamenglong.
Authorities have urged calm and assured residents that the boundary issue will be addressed through legal and administrative processes.
Sources By Agencies
