Disregard for Govt Orders Leaves Two Injured as Tensions Erupt in Kangpokpi’s Kangchup Geljang Region Over Land Dispute

A land dispute in the Gulpi Tuitin area escalated into a physical confrontation today in the Kangchup Geljang region of Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District, following an alleged violation of government orders by the Konsakhul Village Authority.

The disputed land, situated between Leilon Vaiphei and Kharam Vaiphei, falls within the jurisdiction of L. Phaijang and L. Tangnuam (Haraothel) villages — both officially gazetted under the Kangchup-Geljang Sub-Division, Kangpokpi District, Manipur. Historically, the land has been jointly used for agricultural purposes by the two villages and has been clearly demarcated by official orders issued by the SDO, Saitu Gamphazol, on December 22, 1999, and January 15, 2002.

In a decisive move to prevent potential violence and safeguard public safety, the District Magistrate of Kangpokpi, Mahesh Chaudhari, imposed an immediate public curfew on April 2, 2025. The curfew covers Konsakhul, Haraothel, and L. Phaijang — all under the Kangchup Geljang Sub-Division.

Enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the curfew follows alarming reports from the Superintendent of Police and the Sub-Divisional Officer, which indicated a high likelihood of serious breaches of peace, threats to public tranquility, and grave danger to human lives and property in the area.

With the Cr.P.C. 1973 officially replaced by the BNSS on July 1, 2024, the district administration acted swiftly and ex-parte — without prior notice — citing the urgency of the situation.

Key Provisions of the Order:

1. Complete restriction on public movement outside residences within the affected villages.
2. A ban on all construction and developmental activities that may disturb the status quo or incite disharmony.
3. Exemptions apply only to law enforcement and essential service providers, including medical personnel.

The curfew took effect from 5:00 PM on April 2, 2025, and remains in force until further notice.

District authorities have ensured the order has been widely disseminated through public notice boards and official channels. Law enforcement agencies continue to closely monitor the situation.

The imposition of the curfew underscores the administration’s firm stance on maintaining peace and preventing further escalation in a region already fraught with tension.

Despite the standing status quo orders issued by both the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kangchup Geljang (Ref No. SDM(K-G)-9/LO/2024, dated March 21, 2024), and the District Magistrate (Order No. DC(KPI)1/1/L&O/2016, dated April 2, 2025), Konsakhul villagers reportedly resumed land demarcation activities around 1:00 PM today using heavy machinery — a move viewed as a direct defiance of government directives intended to maintain peace.

According to eyewitnesses, when villagers from L. Phaijang and L. Tangnuam (Haraothel) approached the site to intervene, a physical clash ensued. During the altercation, the Chief and Chairman of the Konsakhul Village Authority sustained minor injuries.

In a joint statement issued later in the day, the Chiefs of L. Phaijang and L. Tangnuam (Haraothel) condemned Konsakhul's actions as a “blatant breach of government authority,” warning that further provocation could lead to serious consequences. They reaffirmed their right to protect their ancestral land and stated that the concerned authorities would be held accountable for any untoward incidents stemming from the ongoing tension.

Residents and the general public are advised to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to any misleading narratives that may arise in the wake of this incident.

Weaponising Narratives: The Communalisation of Local Issues

However, what is equally alarming — and deeply unfortunate — is the manner in which some media houses in Manipur, along with vested individuals and organisations, are persistently engaged in communalising such sensitive issues. Rather than presenting a factual and balanced view, several reports have sought to distort the situation, painting it as an ethnic or communal confrontation — a tactic that not only exacerbates tensions but also diverts attention from the real issue: the defiance of government authority and the rule of law.

This is not an isolated case. The communalisation of administrative, land, and governance-related issues has become a dangerous pattern in Manipur’s current media and political landscape. Instead of promoting peace and accountability, selective reporting and narrative manipulation have become tools to inflame public sentiment and deepen divides.

Call for Responsible Journalism and Government Action

As Manipur stands at a crossroads, the role of the media, civil society, and government institutions becomes even more critical. Sensationalist and communal narratives only serve to deepen existing wounds. It is imperative that all stakeholders, especially the press, act with responsibility, integrity, and a commitment to truth.

The district administration must also ensure strict enforcement of legal orders and take strong action against those who defy them. The safety of the region’s residents — and the preservation of rule of law — depends on it.