The Zaonger Mihkhung Arihako (ZMA), also known as the Zaonger Citizens’ Union, has issued a detailed statement outlining its account of the events leading to the October 10 violence at Zaonger village involving members of the Yimkhiung and Tikhir communities, citing a longstanding internal dispute, an unresolved customary court proceeding and disagreements over the proposed Tikhir Tsonglak-Nyi Festival 2026.
In its press statement, the ZMA described the incident as the culmination of a prolonged dispute between the two communities that escalated into a public confrontation, resulting in damage to property and the displacement of residents. It expressed regret over the escalation and the distress caused to those affected, while presenting its account of the circumstances preceding the violence.
According to the ZMA, the dispute is an internal village matter that was referred to a District Customary Court constituted by the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire in April 2025, following directions from the Commissioner, Nagaland. The court was constituted to adjudicate the matter in accordance with Point No. 3 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and the Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) in the presence of state government officials during the recognition of the Tikhir tribe.
The provision states that disputes or issues between members of the two tribes should be localised and resolved through customary laws and practices, while maintaining the status quo.
The ZMA stated that during the proceedings, the Customary Court, on May 14, 2025, directed the Zaonger Village Council to advance ₹25,000 towards the final traditional oath-taking ceremony. The amount was reportedly paid as directed. However, the final stage of the settlement, which the parties had mutually agreed to pursue through the traditional oath-taking process, remains pending, according to the Union.
The statement further said that the Joint Coordination Committee of Zaonger village submitted a 45-day ultimatum to the state government in December 2025, urging the competent authority to resolve the matter in accordance with the MoU. The ZMA alleged that no appropriate action followed the representation and ultimatum.
Subsequently, 73 individuals who had identified themselves as Tikhir were expelled from village citizenship, the statement claimed.
According to the ZMA, the individuals were directed to leave the village along with their movable and immovable properties, but the directive remained unimplemented.
Dispute over proposed festival
Recounting the events of October 9, a day before the scheduled festival, the ZMA stated that the Gaon Buras (GBs) of Zaonger village visited the venue after receiving information that the Tikhir Tsonglak-Nyi Festival 2026 was being organised there for October 10.
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According to the Union, the GBs cautioned those present against proceeding with the programme, referring to a Zaonger Village Council standing order dated April 21, 2026. The order reportedly directed the concerned individuals, described by the village authorities as expelled members, to refrain from organising social, religious or other public programmes that could disturb the village’s peaceful atmosphere under the prevailing circumstances.
The ZMA said officials from the Pungro district administration, accompanied by the Officer-in-Charge of Pungro Police Station, also visited Zaonger on October 9 and held discussions with both parties. During the meeting, the GBs reportedly explained the village council’s position and the circumstances surrounding the dispute.
However, the Union alleged that festival preparations continued after the administrative team left. It also referred to the display of the words “Tikhir Tsonglak-Nyi Festival 2026, Zaonger” on a slaughtered pig, describing the act as disrespectful and saying it further aggravated tensions.
According to the ZMA’s account, a group of Tikhir-speaking individuals assembled on the morning of October 10 to proceed with the proposed celebration. The Zaonger village public subsequently approached the gathering and urged those present to disperse and leave peacefully, citing the earlier withdrawal of their village citizenship.
The Union maintained that the initial intention was to prevent a confrontation and resolve the immediate situation peacefully, without resorting to violence. However, it said arguments broke out between some members of the village public and the assembled individuals, who reportedly asserted that they were celebrating on their own land in Zaonger and were entitled to do so without permission from the village authorities.
The exchange allegedly escalated into a heated verbal confrontation, following which incidents of vandalism reportedly began at a house. The individuals concerned then reportedly left the village in a group, the statement said.
Alleges circulation of mobilisation message
The ZMA further claimed that, following the initial confrontation, a voice message in the Tikhir dialect circulated widely on WhatsApp. According to the Union, the message allegedly called on Tikhir Youth Volunteers to mobilise immediately, proceed to Zaonger and destroy houses belonging to members of the Yimkhiung community.
The Union said the circulation of the message heightened tensions and contributed to the subsequent escalation in Pokphur and Longtsonger villages.
The statement also alleged that houses belonging to members of the Yimkhiung community in Pokphur village were subsequently set on fire by individuals from the village. The ZMA said the incident was visible from Zaonger and further intensified anger and resentment among the public.
In the aftermath, the Zaonger village public retaliated by setting fire to some houses belonging to the expelled members at Zaonger, the Union acknowledged. It expressed regret over the escalation and maintained that the village authority had been pursuing a localised and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
ZMA offers documents to authorities
The ZMA said it was prepared to produce relevant documents, resolutions and other supporting evidence before the competent authorities whenever required.
Clarifying its position on the festival, the Union stated that it had no objection to the celebration of any festival, including the Tikhir Tsonglak-Nyi Festival, outside Zaonger village. However, it maintained that holding the festival within Zaonger by individuals whose village citizenship had reportedly been withdrawn, while they continued to claim affiliation with the village, was considered unwarranted by the village authorities.
