Gunfight in Manipur's Ukhrul town overcleaning land, prohibitory orders imposed

PTI, IMPHAL, OCTOBER 2, 2024: Prohibitory orders were imposed in Manipur's Ukhrul town after a gunfight broke out between two groups on Wednesday over cleaning a plot of land as part of 'Swachhata Abhiyan,' officials said. Both sides belong to the Naga community but from two different villages and lay claim to the land, they said. 

Some people were also injured in the gunfight, and the Assam Rifles were deployed to control the situation, police said.

In the order imposing the restrictions, Ukhrul Sub-Divisional Magistrate D. Kamei referred to a letter he received from the SP about "apprehension" over "social work" organized by Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students Organisation (THYSO), and subsequent objections to it in the Hunphun area by the Hunphun Village Authority. 

"And in connection with the land dispute between Hunphun and Hungpung villages, there is a possibility of creating law and order problems which may lead to a breach of peace and public tranquillity between the two villages. And whereas, such disturbances may result in serious breaches of peace, public tranquillity, and danger to human lives and properties," the order said.

"Now, therefore... exercising the powers conferred under Sub-section 1 of Section 163 BNSS, 2023, I hereby issue an order prohibiting the movement of any person outside their respective residences and any other act or activity that could disturb the prevailing law and order in the Scheduled area from 9:30 AM on 2nd October, 2024, until further orders," it added.