Imphal, June 23: At least 7 persons sustained injuries of which 5 were rushed to different hospitals after a gunfight erupted between villagers of Maram Khunou and Khabung Karong under Senapati district over a long-standing land dispute. Two of the injured admitted to SHIJA Hospital were identified as Th Viinii (19), S/o Thole of Vakho under Senapati who had been hit by bullets on his right hand, left shoulder, abdomen and chest and Sahiinii, S/o Daile of Vakho under Senapati who sustained a bullet wound on his abdomen. The other three injured admitted to Raj Hospital has been identified as P Daihrii who was hit by bullet on his neck and thigh, V Paul, S/o P Vio was hit by bullets on his left shoulder and abdomen and A John S/o (L ) Ahrai, who got grazed on the forehead with a bullet. All the injured are from Khabung Karong.
One of the victim’s family member said that New Karong or Vakho and Maram Khunou has been at loggerheads over land dispute and the two villages are divided by a river. Locals of Maram Khunou have constructed more than 60 houses by encroaching beyond the river towards Vakho area during the last 3 weeks. He further added that locals of Maram Khunou had been instructed to stop the construction of houses but the construction activities continued despite the strong reminders which led to the locals of Vakho to mobilise a team and proceed to dismantle the constructions on the alleged disputed land early morning at around 3:30 today. Maram khunou villagers started firing on the approaching Vakho villagers and the incident continued till around 4:30 am. Senapati police and 35AR personnel immediately rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Senapati police has also been deployed near the disputed site to prevent any untoward incidents. It may also be noted that, based on Senapati police report vide no: 51/SPT-PS/2016 dated 29/05/2016 to prevent possible tension and untoward incident, the District Magistrate Senapati had issued a prohibitory order u/s 144 Cr PC 1973 at the disputed site since May 30 of this year.
