Kohima: At least one person was killed and another injured while several houses were destroyed and set ablaze in Kiphire district on Saturday following a violent confrontation between members of the Tikhir and Yimkhiung communities, police and district administration officials said.
The violence was reported from parts of Kiusam area and Pungro town, where tensions had been simmering between the two communities that co-exist in the region. Visuals from the district showed people gathered outside the District Hospital Kiphire on Saturday evening after the injured were brought in.
Following the incident, the district administration swung into action to contain the situation. Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Kiphire, Temsuwati Longkumer, imposed prohibitory orders across Pungro sub-division, excluding Khongsa block but including Kiusam circle, to prevent further escalation and maintain public order.
The order was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and came into immediate effect. In his order, the DM noted that the situation in areas where the two communities co-exist, particularly in Zaonger, Pokphur and Longtsunger, had raised serious apprehensions of a possible breach of peace and communal harmony.
As per the prohibitory order, assembly of five or more persons where such gatherings are likely to disturb public tranquillity or aggravate inter-community tensions has been strictly prohibited. Carrying of firearms, weapons, sharp-edged implements or any other objects that could be used to cause injury or intimidation has also been barred, except for authorised personnel on official duty.
The administration has also prohibited rallies, processions, public gatherings and other activities likely to provoke confrontation without prior written permission from the competent authority. Further, circulation of statements, messages, rumours or any material intended to incite violence, promote hostility between communities or disturb public order has been banned.
The order stated that acts of intimidation, provocation, mobilisation or confrontation that could endanger public safety would invite strict legal action. The Superintendent of Police, executive magistrates and administrative officers have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order in coordination with security forces. Village authorities, community leaders and the public have been urged to cooperate and exercise restraint.
Reacting to the development, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton expressed concern over the violence and appealed to both communities to maintain calm. In a statement issued by his media cell, Patton urged both sides to avoid actions that could aggravate the situation and to comply with the directives of the district administration and law enforcement agencies. He said differences can be resolved only through peaceful dialogue.
Meanwhile, apex bodies in Eastern Nagaland have also called for peace. The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) expressed shock over the violence and condemned any form of violence in the region. ENPO President Chingmak Chang said the present period is crucial for Eastern Nagaland and stressed the need to move forward in peace and harmony. He appealed to the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) to take responsibility for their respective communities and take urgent steps to restore normalcy.
The United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) also issued a notification cautioning individuals and groups against creating law-and-order problems within its jurisdiction in Kiphire district. USLP Joint Secretary and Vice-President in-charge A. Island Peace Yangthsaba and Executive Committee Convener Selongba Sangtam urged all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and warned that any individual or group violating the directive would be held responsible for the consequences.
