At least 24 persons were injured, several houses set ablaze, and over two dozen vehicles damaged during a violent clash at Maova village under Medziphema Sub-Division on Friday morning, triggering panic in the area and forcing authorities to deploy security forces to restore order.
According to official sources, the violence erupted around 10 a.m. between members of Chakroma Public Organization (CPO) and Maova villagers.
The incident occurred due to issues from land related matters and misunderstanding escalated between the two groups, which subsequently turned violent. The situation intensified as both groups alleged engaged in stone pelting.
During the course of violence, 48 people were injured from both parties, 6 vehicles were burnt down and 15 vehicles damaged, 5 houses burnt, 20 private houses damaged, and 7 shops including Maova Community Hall was burnt down.
Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) of Medziphema and a police constable also sustained injuries during intense stone pelting.
With tensions escalating, the Commissioner of Police rushed additional security personnel to the area and necessary measures were taken to control the situation and restore law and order to prevent any further violence. Authorities later restored traffic movement along the highway after the situation was brought under control.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Patton appeals for restraint
Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton has expressed deep concern over the incidents that took place at Maova Village in Chumoukedima District today and has appealed to all communities and organizations to exercise restraint and allow peace to be restored through lawful means.
The Deputy Chief Minister called upon all organiZations and community bodies involved, directly or indirectly, in this matter to step back from confrontation and place their trust in the established mechanisms of dialogue, customary law, and district administration. These institutions exist precisely to resolve disputes of this nature without harm to any community, he said.
He noted with relief that the situation has since been brought under control by the authorities and urged all parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. He has also called on the administration to ensure continued security in the area and to act swiftly and impartially in addressing the grievances of those affected.
CPO alleges pre-planned attack in Maova incident, seeks accountability
Leaders of the Chakhroma Public Organization (CPO) have alleged that the recent violent incident at Maova village was the result of a pre-planned confrontation linked to a long-standing land dispute, while expressing regret over the escalation that led to property damage, injuries, and communal tensions.
Addressing media persons at Chumoukedima after the incident, CPO President, Zhato Kimho described the situation as “very unfortunate,” stating that the CPO and local communities had historically maintained cordial relations with neighbouring communities and had coexisted for decades.
Kimho alleged that tensions have surfaced over the past two to three years, particularly concerning land transactions in areas under the CPO jurisdiction. According to him, several individuals from the Naga community had legally purchased land in Maova and surrounding villages.
However, he claimed that despite land being sold, buyers were allegedly prevented from developing their properties, including constructing houses, undertaking farming, or carrying out plantation and fishery projects.
He further alleged that materials brought by landowners for development work were seized and that youths were sent to drive them away, reportedly under the direction of village authorities. Kimho said complaints regarding these issues had been received by the CPO over the last few years, but the organization initially advised affected parties to maintain peace and pursue dialogue.
According to the CPO president, tensions escalated after a structure was allegedly constructed last year on land claimed to have been sold to private buyers. Kimho said the Organization issued a notice on December 2, setting December 25 as the deadline for removal of the alleged illegal construction. He claimed that despite reminders and follow-up calls, no response was received from the village authorities.
Explaining the events leading to the violence, Kimho stated that a CPO delegation, along with youth representatives, visited the village to meet local leaders and seek clarification. However, he alleged that they were confronted by villagers who had blocked the road and prevented them from entering. He claimed that a scuffle broke out during the confrontation, followed by stone-pelting, which he described as “pre-arranged”.
Kimho further alleged that during the stone-pelting, a police constable and an Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) were injured. He claimed that the CPO delegation initially attempted to retreat but the situation escalated when youths accompanying them retaliated and chased villagers, eventually resulting in a house being set on fire and vehicles being damaged.
He also alleged that the mob may have been armed and suggested that the explosion heard during the fire might have been caused by either a gas cylinder or possible stored ammunition, though no official confirmation of this claim was provided.
CPO Vice President, Sebastian Zumvu echoed the President’s statements, alleging that the delegation had gone for dialogue but encountered hostility. He claimed that projectiles such as stones and sticks were used against the delegation and alleged that weapons were stored near the residence of local authorities.
Zumvu also maintained that the CPO had not received any written response to the December notice.
According to CPO leaders, more than 24 vehicles were damaged and at least 24 individuals were injured during the incident. They claimed that the injured included government officials and security personnel who were present at the site.
CPO Finance Secretary, Zasivikho Zakiesato stated that the dispute involved specific individuals and emphasized that the incident should not be interpreted as a conflict between entire communities.
Kimho further said that communities in the area have shared longstanding social, cultural, and familial ties, including inter-community marriages.
He also highlighted past humanitarian assistance extended by the CPO during regional crises, stating that the organization had previously supported displaced persons and vulnerable groups irrespective of community identity.
The CPO leadership stated that it would hold internal consultations with community stakeholders to determine its next course of action. The organisation also urged authorities and concerned parties to address the land dispute and the circumstances surrounding the violence to prevent further escalation.
CPO submits situation report to ADC Medziphema
The Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) has submitted a situational report to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Medziphema, presenting its account of the recent incident involving Maova village and alleging long-standing disputes between landowners and the Maova Village Council.
In the letter addressed to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, the CPO stated that for several years it had been receiving multiple complaints alleging that the Maova Village Council had restricted property owners from developing their respective land and had also engaged in acts of intimidation.
It also described in detail what led to today’s incident, which eventually turned violent.
Describing the sequence of events on the day of the incident, the CPO stated that its leaders, accompanied by a small group of youth volunteers, visited Maova village in the morning with the intention of holding a dialogue with the village council chairman and the Gaon Bura. However, the Organisation alleged that upon reaching the village, the delegation encountered hostile behaviour from certain villagers, claiming that the negotiating party was allegedly confronted with stones and batons. The CPO further alleged that its president was manhandled by what it described as miscreants and had to be escorted to safety by volunteers.
The Organisation stated that tensions escalated when youth volunteers allegedly retaliated in defence of their leaders, leading to a scuffle during which, according to the CPO, an Extra Assistant Commissioner and a police personnel sustained injuries. It claimed that the situation prompted youth volunteers to seek reinforcement from neighbouring villages.
According to the report, upon the arrival of reinforcements, volunteers allegedly observed that some individuals had taken shelter inside a shop and within the residence of the Gaon Bura. The organisation alleged that anger among the volunteers intensified after learning about injuries to administrative and police officials, following which some vehicles in the area were reportedly damaged.
Maova village GB alleges pre-planned mob attack, seeks security reinforcement
The Gaon Bura (GB) of Maova Village, Seiboi Changsang, has alleged that the recent violence in the village was preceded by intelligence inputs regarding the movement of a large number of vehicles heading towards the village with the intention of creating unrest, and has appealed for immediate government intervention to restore security and confidence among residents.
Speaking on the incident, Changsang said he had received prior information about the movement of vehicles carrying a large crowd towards the village. Acting on the information, he stated that he immediately alerted the district administration, following which officials, including the Extra Assistant Commissioner and police personnel, rushed to the area. However, he claimed that despite the presence of security forces, the situation soon escalated into violence.
According to Changsang, the mob allegedly began the attack by targeting and destroying a newly constructed house before proceeding to his residence, where household items including furniture, kitchen utensils, and vehicles were vandalized. He further alleged that the attackers later set fire to several shops in the locality, triggering panic and fear among villagers.
While exact figures regarding the number of people involved in the attack remain uncertain, Changsang estimated that nearly 1,000 individuals were part of the crowd. He maintained that the limited number of security personnel deployed at the site were unable to contain the situation due to the overwhelming size of the mob. He stated that although administrative and police officials attempted to intervene, they were outnumbered, allowing the violence to continue.
The attack reportedly caused extensive damage to both public and private properties within the village. Changsang informed that the mob allegedly set ablaze key community infrastructure, including the Village Community Hall, an under-construction guest house, and the Youth Office. In addition, a row of commercial establishments was reportedly destroyed during the violence. He further claimed that at least five to six buildings were burnt, while several vehicles, including five two-wheelers, five four-wheelers, and one JCB machine, were damaged or destroyed during the incident.
Changsang stated that beyond the physical destruction, the incident has left residents deeply traumatized, particularly women and children. Although most of the physical injuries reported were said to be minor, he emphasized that fear and insecurity continue to grip the village community.
Appealing to the government for urgent intervention, Changsang urged authorities to deploy adequate security personnel in the village to ensure the safety of residents. He warned that without strengthened security presence, villagers remain apprehensive about further violence and uncertainty, especially during nighttime.
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Maova Village Council condemns ‘organized and calculated’ attack, demands justice and compensation
Maova Village Council described the violent incidents in the village as “organized and calculated” and wholly unjustifiable act of collective violence, turning a private land dispute into a large-scale attack on the entire village and leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
In a statement, the Maova Village Council Chairman, Sutminlal Vaiphei said the incident stemmed from a land dispute involving individuals from Maova village and Sobu Rio in connection with the Chathe Prayer Centre, but was deliberately escalated into a communal confrontation that had no justification under customary, legal or administrative norms.
Innocent villagers with no connection whatsoever to the dispute were made to suffer, the council stated, adding that while authorities eventually brought the situation under control, the damage inflicted on the village was severe and unacceptable.
According to the council, at around 10 a.m. on February 13, nearly one thousand youths mobilized under the banner of the Chakhroma Youth Organization descended upon Maova village. The mob allegedly vandalized and set fire to private properties, homes, shops and vehicles in what the council described as a well-coordinated and pre-planned operation.
“This was organised. This was coordinated. This was transported from outside. This was not a spontaneous reaction,” the statement asserted.
The issue, the Council explained, was initially raised by the Chakhro Public Organization through a letter alleging illegal encroachment on land belonging to the Chathe Prayer Centre and Sobu Rio. The Maova Village Council said it had clearly responded that the matter was a private dispute between individuals and that proper customary and administrative mechanisms were available to resolve it. Despite this, the issue was allegedly inflamed rather than settled through dialogue.
Emphasizing that land disputes are common in Nagaland and are traditionally resolved through village councils, customary law and district administration, the council said such disputes have never justified mobilising thousands of people to attack an entire village. Turning a private disagreement into a communal confrontation, it warned, is reckless and dangerous, it said.
The council detailed extensive damage caused during the attack, including the burning of a dumper truck, a Santro car, a council guest house, a community hall, the village council office and the council youth office. Several vehicles were damaged, including Boleros, Gypsies, a Wagon R, a Maruti 800, a Swift and a JCB, along with multiple two-wheelers and scooties. At least 17 roadside shops were burned, three private homes were damaged, around 20 mobile phones were destroyed and 50 chairs belonging to the Village Council were reduced to ashes.
The Council stressed that these properties did not belong to the individuals involved in the dispute but were the homes, livelihoods and assets of ordinary villagers.
Raising serious concern over the attempt to invoke the name of the Chathe Prayer Centre, the Council said projecting moral authority while mobilizing violence on the ground raises troubling questions. It maintained that institutions associated with prayer and faith must never become a pretext for confrontation or a shield for escalation, warning that sacred spaces should not be used, directly or indirectly, to inflame disputes.
The statement also recalled that the Chakhro Public Organization, earlier known as the Chakroma Union, was founded with the involvement of Subedar Khupjalet Kuki as its first chairman, reflecting shared roots and past cooperation between communities. In that context, the council said it was particularly disturbing that such an organization allegedly became a platform for mass mobilization resulting in widespread destruction.
“Have they delivered justice by sending mobs into Maova? Have they upheld law by sanctioning numbers over process? Have they strengthened peace by destroying homes and shops?” the council asked, stating that the answer was clear.
The Maova Village Council said it has lodged FIRs against all responsible parties and demanded an impartial and time-bound investigation, identification and prosecution of those who organised and led the attack, full compensation for all damaged properties and continued security presence in the area to prevent further intimidation.
The Council asserted that private disputes must not be weaponized, organizations must not act as parallel enforcement bodies and no group has the authority to descend upon another village to impose punishment.
Meanwhile, administrative and law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident and assessing claims and counterclaims made by the involved parties.
