ADDITIONAL COMPANY OF NAP (IR) SENT FOR DEPLOYMENT IN THE CONFLICT AREA
In a delayed report, at least four persons were injured on March 28, 2025 when miscreants fired upon a group of people near Khongka village (below Laruri bridge on Tizu River) under Pungro PS, east of the Tizu River, in land dispute area under Kiphire and Meluri distritcs.
According to police, the dispute involved Laruri village (including Sutsu Village) and Mimi village (including its satellite villages like Mutingkhong, Kohongka, etc.).
Police said the incident occurred when villagers from Laruri and Sutsu were constructing an approach road with a JCB and cutting firewood in the disputed area.
Police said miscreants, suspected to be from Mimi and its satellite villages (a party to the land dispute), resorted to destroying jungle huts and firing upon the group resulting in injuries and assaults.
Describing the situation as “tense”, the police said there was reportedly mobilization of villagers from Laruri and Sutsu especially to rescue their villagers and search those who were scattered in the jungle.
After the incident, police said ADC Pungro, SDPO Kiphire along with OC Pungro visited the place of occurrence.
Police said one platoon of NAP (IR) was moved from Kiphire HQ for immediate deployment at the site. Besides, police said EAC with a police officer from Meluri police had moved to Laruri village.
Police also said SP Meluri was co-ordinating with Pochury Hoho to ensure safety of travellers from Kiphire district to Kohima/Dimapur via Meluri district.
Further, additional one company of NAP (IR) had been sent for deployment in the conflict area.
Police further said district administration and district police were co-ordinating with the Yimkhiung and Pochury tribal Hohos to bring the situation under control.
Patton urges parties involved to maintain calm: State deputy chief minister Y Patton, who also holds home portfolio, expressed deep concern over reports of violence.
In a post on X, Patton said such incidents not only disrupted peace but also harmed the bonds that held the communities together.
The deputy chief minister has urged all the parties to maintain calm and work towards restoring harmony. He said dialogue and understanding must prevail over conflict.
Patton also visited the injured persons at NHAK Kohima.
Expressing concern over the unfortunate incident, the deputy chief minister stated that by God’s grace the injured were out of danger according to medical reports.
He informed that the state government had assigned the deputy commissioners of Kiphire and Meluri districts to investigate the matter and submit a report through the commissioner of Nagaland.
Currently, one patient with a head injury remains hospitalised at NHAK Kohima, while three others with minor injuries have been discharged.
The deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton was accompanied by advisor S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, (MLA 60 Kiphire AC), advisor Z Nyusietho Nyuthe (MLA 20 Meluri A/C), Commissioner of Nagaland Anden Konyak, DGP Nagaland Rupin Sharma, IGP Range Jasbir Singh, additional commissioner L. Jamithung Lotha), home commissioner Vyasan R, and DC Meluri Mhathung Tsanglao.
Police said the injured were identified as Ngutsa, (23) of Sutsu Village, who suffered bullet injury on the head; Atsatho, also of Sutsu Village was physically assaulted; Azing, of Laruri village suffered bullet injury on the foot (minor injury) and Ayowtsa, (21) suffered bullet injury on the shoulder (minor injury).
PAPO flays firing incident: Phokhungri Area Public Organisation (PAPO) has vehemently condemned the March 28, 2025 firing incident, where the armed miscreants allegedly of Mimi circle fired upon the villagers of Laruri and Sutsu “without giving any warning”.
In a statement, PAPO president P Paratsu and general secretary Sihalu also expressed outrage at the indiscriminate firing on the innocent public.
The organisation recalled that the incident happened early morning around 5:20am. It said armed miscreants of Mimi Circle along with their leaders “encircled” the public/labourers of Laruri and Sutsu who were camped in the jungle for collection of timber.
PAPO said miscreants threatened them by firing several live-rounds and chased them away from the worksite. “Consequent upon, while on their way to their village, the armed personnel of Mimi area were hiding in the jungles in the road-side and ambushed fired upon them indiscriminately”, PAPO said.
The organisation said three persons were injured—one person in the arm, one on the leg and the other on the head, whose condition, it claimed was critical battling for life in ICU. PAPO said bolero pick-up in which they were travelling was also damaged.
PAPO said miscreants completely burned down three paddy-field huts, one resting shed and a house on the road-side near Tizu bridge. Citing “inputs” from the eye-witness and “evidences” collected from the spot, PAPO said sophisticated weapons (Ak47, 303 rifle, 12 bore rifle, .22 rifle, 315 rifle and HK rifle) were used in the attack, adding that empty shells were also recovered from the site.
PAPO said they were “lover of peace” and there was no place for “such barbaric and uncivilised act in this present civilised world.” The organisation has urged the responsible authority to arrest the miscreants, seize arms and ammunitions used and book them under relevant section of laws and deliver justice to the victims. PAPO also appealed to all the right-thinking citizens to condemn such heinous act.