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‘Fighting symptom won’t work’
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 21
In a purported bid to de-escalate tensions following the violent confrontation on February 13 in Maova village, representatives from the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and the Maova Village Council (MVC) held a closed-door meeting on February 21. The meeting was convened after the Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Maova village authorities demanding action against those involved in the incident.
Following the meeting, held at the CPO Hall in Chümoukedima, CPO Vice President Sebastian Zumvü described the talks as a preliminary step. While acknowledging an apology from Maova representatives regarding the physical altercation, he insisted that the violence was merely a “symptom” of the unresolved land dispute.
“That incident (February 13 violence) was just a symptom. Not the disease. The disease is different, the disease needs to be treated. Without treating the disease, fighting the symptom won’t work,” Zumvü said.
According to him, the EAC, who was injured, has been discharged from hospital, while one police personnel reportedly remained in the ICU. This, however, could not be officially verified.
Maova Village Council Chairperson Sutminlal Vaiphei confirmed they attended the meeting in “good faith” in response to the CYO ultimatum. He declined to elaborate on the specifics of the discussion.
“Regarding how the meeting’s progress will be… we don’t have any comments on the progress. However, let’s hope for the best,” Vaiphei said.
When asked about the timeline for future talks, the CPO Vice President, Zumvü replied that the “ball is in the court of Maova village.”
The issue stems from a dispute over two small plots of land on the Jalukie road, NH 129A, in Maova village, which both sides claim as theirs. On February 13, violence erupted when CPO officials visited Maova village. The CPO alleged their team was waylaid, while the MVC denied the accusation.
Around 20-30 people sustained injuries in the clash. Among the injured were the EAC Medziphema and two police personnel.
As per the police, 9 houses and 3 shops were vandalised; 8 shops, a community hall, a youth office, and a council guest house were set afire. More than 30 LPG cylinders exploded during the fires, and 21 vehicles were damaged, three of which were torched. No casualties were reported.
