Fresh tension gripped the Pukhao Leitanpokpi area in Imphal East district on Sunday after Meitei farmers attempting to cultivate their paddy fields at Sadu Lampak were reportedly obstructed by villagers from Songfel, a Kuki village under Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi district. The tension reportedly began around 8 a.m. and continued well into the afternoon, persisting until the filing of this report.
Local sources said the Meitei farmers had obtained prior permission from Central security forces to carry out cultivation in their ancestral fields. However, upon arrival, they were confronted by a group from the nearby Kuki village, leading to a face-off that escalated quickly. Both sides were seen hurling stones and using slingshots, disregarding attempts by Central security forces to bring the situation under control.
Videos of the confrontation, widely circulated on social media, showed Kuki villagers using abusive language and throwing projectiles at the farmers in the presence of security personnel. Other clips depicted Meitei individuals attempting to retaliate but being restrained by Central forces. The situation sparked strong reactions online, with many questioning the failure of authorities to protect the fundamental right of farmers to cultivate their own land.
Manipur Police, in a statement posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), acknowledged the incident. According to their version, at around 10 a.m., a Meitei farmer from Leitanpokpi arrived with a tractor to plough his field at Sadu Lampak when Kuki villagers objected, claiming the land did not belong to him. Police said security forces led by the Additional SP of Imphal East, along with Central forces, were already present at the site, managing the situation. Additional forces led by the district SP were also deployed.
Despite these assurances, field reporters confirmed that the situation remained tense throughout the day, with large numbers from both communities arriving at the scene. Central forces had to use smoke bombs to disperse the crowd as verbal confrontations escalated into stone-pelting. Farmers on the ground insisted they would not retreat, declaring their right to cultivate on their own land as non-negotiable.
“This is our land—we have been cultivating it for generations. Now we need permission to farm and even then, we are stopped. This is unacceptable,” said one Meitei farmer.
The proximity of Songfel village, located along the hill slopes adjacent to the disputed paddy fields, has been a frequent flashpoint since the outbreak of ethnic conflict in 2023. Sunday’s incident has reignited criticism of the Provisional Relief (PR) administration and state authorities for failing to uphold the rights of displaced and affected Meitei farmers, despite the presence of security forces and formal approvals.
As the agricultural season nears its peak, unresolved land access disputes and the lack of effective protection for farmers continue to deepen ethnic divides and fuel unrest in conflict-affected areas of Manipur.