A wave of public outcry has swept Ukhrul in the wake of the revelation that Rs. 2.99 crore in land compensation for Hunphun public land was allegedly withdrawn secretly by a few individuals in collusion with the village headman. Elders and youth of Hunphun, under the joint banner of Elders’ Forum and Hunphun Youths, have condemned the act as a shameful betrayal of public trust and a grave instance of corruption.
Community elders, intellectuals, and youth leaders, in a press conference held at Alungtang, Ukhrul, denounced the manipulation of official documents and secret withdrawal of compensation meant for the collective benefit of the Hunphun public. They described the act as “a daylight robbery” of public land at Phungthar–Ngahong. Convenor of the Elders’ Forum, Qr. Somi Zimik, Retd. Chief Security Officer (IRS), said the compensation belongs to the entire Hunphun community, not to a handful of people. He termed the secret withdrawal as “a theft in broad daylight” as it represents corruption at its worst and a betrayal of the people.
Zimik disclosed that repeated demands to the VA to convene a General Body meeting were ignored, though public pressure has now forced the meeting to be rescheduled for November 14. He also said the Hunphun Katamnao Long (HKL), which sought to file an RTI application to unravel details of the transaction, was threatened by some influential persons. However, the elders encouraged the youth body to go ahead, asserting that seeking the truth is the right of every citizen.
Former IAS officer and ex-chairman of the Ukhrul/Hunphun Executive Council, Qr. Maranchan Luikham, said that the evidence of the headman’s direct involvement in the transaction was clearly documented. The headman had signed as a witness to the withdrawal of Rs. 2.99 crore by five persons, he alleged. “Why should the jhum land be transferred into the ownership of five persons with a Village Headman as a witness?” he asked. Furthermore, alleging that the SDO, Ukhrul, had accorded sanction to the deal, he said some serious suspicion of official collusion could not be ruled out. He demanded suo moto inquiry by the district administration over what he termed an “open abuse of power.”
Supporting the statements, Qr. Edmund Chiphang, ex-Executive Member of the ADC Ukhrul, said that there is no private ownership in the area of Phungthar–Ngahong but is communally owned by the Hunphun/Ukhrul public. He cited the 2010 declaration of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) wherein the land was clearly recognized as public property. Compensation, he mentioned, was withdrawn in secrecy and as if the land were privately owned, which he termed as fraud and unforgivable betrayal of the people.
While condemning the act, the Elders’ Forum called on the youths to remain calm and allow due process to take its course. Zimik said that if the headman is found guilty, he must confess or resign immediately. He affirmed that legal proceedings are being prepared against those responsible for the illegal withdrawal.
Qr. Hopkinson Chiphang, Retd. SPDO and member, Hunphun By-law Drafting Committee (Riyan), complained that the VA has flouted the customary law. As per the Hunphun Riyan, the VA should conduct at least two General Body meetings in a year, but the present VA has disregarded the provision and functioned on vested interests to suppress the traditional law.
The press conference concluded with a strong determination in safeguarding Hunphun’s public land and bringing the persons involved in fraudulent withdrawal to book. Elders recounted that late headman Qr. H.A. Sarimaya had declared Phungthar–Ngahong land as public property for the benefit of all Hunphun families, not private gain. They cautioned that further inaction by the authorities could lead to heightened tension in the otherwise peaceful town.
The Elders’ Forum vowed to continue their movement until the misappropriated compensation is returned to public ownership, declaring, “This is a fight for truth, transparency, and the dignity of our people.”