Tension High at Manipur-Myanmar Border over Ethnic Tribals’ Land Dispute

Imphal, July 18, 2019:

Tensions continued to run high at Manipur’s Chandel district bordering Myanmar growing out of a land dispute between two ethnic tribal groups - the Lamkang and the Anal, with the government taking prompt action imposing indefinite 144 CrPC in and around the Chandel district headquarters since July 16.

The dispute erupted when the coffin that contained the body of the Lamkang village Chief D Thamnok (66) was found missing but remains of his body was recovered exposed in the air after 56 days causing high tension.

Highly decomposed body of D Thamnok was found inside the same coffin exposed at a hill slope which is about a km away from its burial site on Tuesday.

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The body was recovered when police arrested one suspect namely Karning (37) on Monday.

Following his interrogations, the police with the help of Challong villagers recovered the mortal remains of D Thamnok on Tuesday at the uphill disputed land between the two communities.

But for autopsy, the remains of D Thamnok are now lying at the state government-run JNIMS hospital, Imphal.

The Chandel district magistrate, Krishna Kumar has imposed 144 CrPC in the area of Chandel district headquarters, adjoining areas since 7 am of July 16 till the situation normalize again stating that there is likelihood of breach of peace and public tranquillity, grave danger to human life and properties because of present prevailing situation in the areas of Chandel district headquarters, and adjoining areas.

D Thamnok died on May 18 was laid to rest on May 20 but the tomb he was buried found desecrated (dug out and burnt) on June 15 by unknown persons. He was laid to rest with full customary honours and religious rites at Challong village cemetery, Shomlum Lamkang, 62, wife of the deceased said.

Tengnoupal district Superintendent of Police Th Vikramjit said that a complaint was lodged by Shomlum Lamkang at Tengnoupal Police Station on June 19 that the burial site of her husband was found demolished and the coffin missing following which the police started an investigation on the case.

The Anal Land Jury Board (ALJB) said that Vomku-Darchol and Ralruwang (Larong) villages Jhum landowner shall not allow the Challong village authorities to bury the mortal remains of Thamnok at his burial site until inter-village boundary line is clear between Vomku-Darchol and Challong villages.

On the other hand, New Chief of Challong village, LV. Molarson Lamkang said that D. Thamnok, was cremated in the cemetery under the jurisdiction of Challong village peacefully in the presence of different communities on May 20.

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