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Journalism of Courage
Tension gripped the Pukhao Leitanpokpi area of Manipur’s Imphal East district Sunday morning after a clash broke out between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in connection with an alleged dispute over a farm land.
Manipur Police said that to thwart any unwanted incidents, additional security forces including state police, BSF and CRPF rushed to the spot, and are currently stationed in and around the area.
The official account of Manipur Police on X said: “Today in the morning about 10am a Meitei farmer from Leitanpokpi went to plough field, with a tractor, in Sadu Lampak village near a Kuki village. Some Kuki villagers nearby… objected saying the paddy field does not belong to him. Meanwhile some Meitei nearby also came to the site. Some videos are circulating showing Kukis coming down to stop Meitei farmers.”
The post also said: “Public are requested not to believe in rumours.”
In one of the alleged videos that went viral, the two warring communities were seen using catapults and pelting stones at each other, as BSF personnel tried to control the situation, police said.
While there are reports of some injuries during the confrontation, there is no official confirmation on the numbers of injured.
Leitanpokpi, a predominantly Meitei district, lies at the extreme edge of Imphal East, bordering Saikul sub-division in Kangpokpi district — a Kuki-Zo dominated district. The area was one of the worst-affected districts during the ethnic conflict in the state that broke out on May 3, 2023.
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