Meluri civil society organisations (CSOs) have sought immediate intervention of the deputy commissioner (DC) Meluri to the March 28 firing incident that occurred near Khongka village (below Laruri bridge on Tizu River), where four persons were injured.
CSOs include Meluri Area Public Organisation (MAPO), Pochury Kajipa, Pochury GB Association (PGBA), Meluri District GBs’ Union, Phokhungri Area Public Organisation (PAPO), Phoyisha Public Organisation (PPO), Apokshah Range Public Organisation (APRO) and Laluri Development Council (LDC).
In a letter to DC Meluri, the CSOs stated that March 28, 2025 morning at around 5:20am “armed miscreants” of Mimi circle along with their leaders had come with automatic and semi-automatic weapons, threatened and chased away the villagers/ labourers of Sütsü and Laruri, who were camped at the worksite for collection of timber and pine root.
“Consequent upon, the villagers/labourers left their camp and proceeded to their village,” CSOs said. However, they said that miscreants ambushed them and started firing indiscriminately causing injury and damaged to the vehicle in which they were travelling.
CSOs said three individuals sustained bullet injury and one was physically manhandled besides seizing his gadgets, cash and even assaulted with rifle butt. Vehemently condemning the incident, the CSOs appeal the responsible authority to immediately intervene and settle the long pending land dispute amicably.
They also demanded that the perpetrators be brought to book and punish under relevant section of law. CSOs affirmed that justice be delivered to the victims and compensate for damage caused to property.
Further, they urged the authority to take necessary measures and deploy security personnel so as to control and normalise the situation in the area. CSOs cautioned that failure to take necessary action could lead to further escalation of the situation.
Laruri, Sutsu villages violated ‘restraining order’, says MCJC
Mimi Circle Joint Council (MCJC) has alleged that violation of ‘restraining order’ by Laruri and Sutsu villages led to the “unfortunate” incident that occurred on March 28, 2025.
In a press release, MCJC president M Throngmuli stated that additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Pungro issued ‘Restraining Order’ dated July 28, 2020 and May 10, 2023. MCJC said additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Meluri had also issued ‘Restraining Order’ dated May 12, 2023. The council said the “restraining orders” prohibited any activity in the dispute areas.
However, Mimi Circle Joint Council said Laruri-Sutsu Village had been constructing road in the dispute area since 2022 in total violation of the government order.
Despite the order, MCJC said they continuously collected timbers, firewood and other resources.
Besides, the council said they also used to burn forest and agricultural field on daily basis and the latest being on March 20 and 25, 2025. MCJC alleged that their “repeated blatant violations” was responded with genuine attempts to peacefully intervene and discourage such unlawful actions. “Unfortunately, our appeals have been ignored, further escalating tensions in the region,” MCJC said.
It stated that “ongoing violations” by Laruri and Sutsu villages exacerbated the situation, “particularly with the presence of armed individuals,” creating unnecessary tension and contributing to the unfortunate incident on March 28, 2025.
MCJC said it had on several occasions requested the district administration reminding repeated violations of the restraining order dated April 22, 2022, May 31, 2022 and March 21, 2023.
It said construction of the road in the dispute area was illegal when there was restraining order in force. “When they have unilaterally and repeatedly violated restraining order, we have every right to intervene and respond befittingly as deem fit,” MCJC said.
On March 28, the council said they requested the workers to leave the dispute area and stop the work.
However, MCJC said the “adamant attitude of some armed individuals workers” was beyond comprehension. The council said that if they were responsive and cordial in their dealings March 28 incident could not have happened.
MCJC also claimed that no sophisticated weapons were used as alleged. MCJC said the present dispute has been dragging on since 1980s, adding it was not aware that Phokhungri Area Public Organization was a stakeholder in land dispute.