Pungro tension felt in Shamator

•    1 dead, 1 wounded•    Retaliatory hostility •    Restrictions in place•    Situation under controlMorung Express NewsDimapur | October 11 The after effects of the confrontation between two native communities in Kiphire’s Pungro sub-division was felt in neighbouring Shamator district with vandalism reported in the district headquarters on October 11. As per official sources, a few houses were vandalised on Sunday in Shamator town even as it remained under prohibitory orders. The information could not be verified with the Shamator district administration, but the sources said atleast 10-11 houses belonging to the minority community were damaged. On October 10, the Shamator district administration had promulgated prohibitory orders in the wake of the communal tension in Pungro sub-division as a precaution. The directive issued by the Deputy Commissioner under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, took effect in Shamator town and Shamator village. It cited “concerns arising from recent events” as the ground for promulgating Section 163. The restrictions included assembly of five or more persons, public rallies, demonstrations and processions; carrying of prohibited weapons or dangerous and inflammable objects, and any activity likely to cause violence, disturb public tranquility or endanger human life and property. It said, “This Order shall remain in force for the period specified by the competent authority, subject to the applicable statutory provisions.”The Superintendent of Police, Shamator, and other concerned authorities were asked to ensure effective implementation of the restrictions.On October 10, tensions flared in Pungro sub-division between individuals belonging to the Tikhir and Yimkhiung communities over a dispute relating to the holding of a tribal festival. The dispute escalated to culminate in the exchange of gunfire. The resultant violence claimed one live and atleast one person was reported to have sustained gunshot wounds. According to police sources, the exchange of fire between the belligerent parties initially occurred during the day on October 10 in Longtsunger village. It had a ripple effect with retaliatory violence reported to have occurred subsequently in other places like Kiusam, Zaonger, Pokphur, and also in the Pungro sub-divisional headquarters. As on October 11, evening, the police sources said that the situation was under control but with heightened security vigil. The series of incidents were also under investigation with the police registering a suo moto case. People displaced Meanwhile, a DIPR release stated that more than 47 people were displaced in Pungro town after 8 houses were vandalised and 6 houses burnt. Longtsunger village reported 1 dead and 1 injured. It said that the extent of damage or displacement of people in Longtsunger and Pokhphur villages was still to be ascertained. “The situation is tense but with timely intervention of the district administration and the police, the situation is under control as of now,” it said while adding that the district administration and police were on the job to move the affected people to safer locations.The DIPR release said that the district administration and police initially met with resistance when they moved in after tensions reared. USLP peace advisoryIn view of the communal unrest in Pungro, the United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP), Kiphire, issued a “Peace advisory” calling for restraint. The USLP advisory, dated October 10, said that that no individual or group will be allowed to disturb law and order under the United Sangtam jurisdiction in Kiphire district.While appealing for maximum restraint and extending cooperation to the law enforcement agencies, it warned that if any individual or group violates their advisory, the USLP will “not be responsible for any untoward incident arising out of it.” It added that copies of the advisory have been forwarded to Kiphire Deputy Commissioner, Yimkhiung Tribal Council, and Tikhir Tribal Council.YTC for peaceThe Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) issued a ‘public notice,’ on October 11, calling for maintaining peace, and communal harmony. While calling against any acts of violence in its jurisdiction, it said that any individual found violating the directive will be dealt with strongly. It further called for the cooperation of all concerned “in maintaining peace, protecting lives and properties,” and preserving peace in Yimkhiung territory.