The Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited the injured victims of the Pungro land dispute shooting incident at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
Patton was accompanied by S. Kiusumew Yimchunger(MLA & Advisor, 60 AC Kiphire), Z Nyusietho Nyuthe (Advisor, 20 A/C Meluri), Anden Konyak (IAS, Commissioner of Nagaland), Rupin Sharma (IPS, DGP Nagaland), Jasbir Singh (IPS, IGP Range), L. Jamithung Lotha(Additional Commissioner), Vyasan R(IAS, Home Commissioner), Mhathung Tsanglao(DC Meluri).
Expressing concern over the violence, Patton stated that, by God’s grace the injured were out of danger according to medical reports. He informed that the state government had tasked the Deputy Commissioners of Kiphire and Meluri to investigate the matter and submit a report through the Commissioner of Nagaland.
Patton appealed for calm, urging the people of the affected districts to maintain peace and harmony in the disputed area. Currently, one patient with a head injury remains hospitalized while three others with minor injuries have been discharged.
The Nagaland Police reported that the clash occurred on March 28, 2025, around 5:30 am near Khongka Village (below Laruri bridge on the Tizu River) in the Pungro PS jurisdiction, an area under land dispute.
The conflict involves Laruri Village (including Sutsu Village), Mimi Village (including satellite villages like Mutingkhong, Kohongka, etc.). According to the official sources, the Villagers from Laruri and Sutsu were constructing an approach road with a JCB and cutting firewood in the disputed area when miscreants (suspected to be from Mimi and its satellite villages) allegedly destroyed jungle huts and opened fire, leading to injuries and assaults.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
It has been reported that four persons sustained injury: Ngutsa,S/o Kamsangthvu (23), Sutsu Village – bullet injury on the head (evacuated to Meluri Hospital, condition yet to be ascertained), Atsatho S/o Lemrathvu, Sutsu Village (physically assaulted),
Azing S/o Phongthow, Laruri Village (bullet injury on the foot(minor injury), and Ayowtsa S/o Zinxathvu (21) – bullet injury on the shoulder(minor injury).
The District Police & Administration, Kiphire Additional DC (Pungro), and OC Pungro PS visited the site, while the SDPO Kiphire & OC Pungro conducted an inspection. Further, the 1 Platoon of NAP (IR) from Kiphire HQ and an additional 1 COY of NAP (IR)has been deployed to the conflict area. It has been informed that the SP Meluri has with the coordinated with Pochury Hoho to ensure the safety of travelers from Kiphire to Kohima/Dimapur via Meluri. Official reports also notified that an EAC and a police officer has been assigned from Meluri to Laruri Village for assessment. The District Administration & Police are currently engaged with Yimkhiung and Pochury tribal Hohos to de-escalate tensions.
It has been informed that tensions remain high as villagers from Laruri and Sutsu mobilize to rescue scattered villagers and search the jungle. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further violence. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.
