Following clashes between Lephori and Mollen villagers over a disputed land under Meluri sub-division, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Meluri has promulgated Section 144 of the CrPC within the whole disputed area between Lephori and Mollen villages restricting movement of two or more persons with or without arms.
Speaking to this Correspondent over phone, ADC Meluri, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, said situation remained tense after more than 46 farm houses in the paddy fields, belonging to Lephori villagers, were burnt down, as the land was believed to be disputed one. He said security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order situation. Chang said he has directed both villages and neighbouring villages to maintain calm and also requested the Pochury Tribal leaders to maintain peace.
In the order, promulgating section 144 CrPC, the ADC stated that during the clashes between the two villages, one person from Mollen village suffered injury.
Taking note of the tense situation, ADC directed both the village councils to restrain their villagers from taking the law into their own hands.
However, defying the directive and request of the Pochury tribal leaders to both the villages to maintain peace in the interest of Pochury tribe, ADC said Mollen villagers on May 1 afternoon burned down the huts of paddy field belonging to Lephori villagers.
ADC said that the incident further aggravated the already tense situation. He said there were confirmed reports of involvement of neighbouring villagers in support of Mollen village though the disputed land was purely between Lephori and Mollen village.
ADC observed that the situation could further aggravate and there was likelihood of law and order problems within Meluri sub-division if strict measure was not taken. Therefore, ADC Meluri said he promulgated section 144 of the Cr.PC with immediate effect.